Thank you for saying this. I’ve been trying to give both of them the benefit of the doubt, Judge Merchan & President Biden…but it’s past time for being nice.
Trump wants to be emperor of the United States. Bibi is committing crimes against humanity. The good guys have to take control, before it’s no longer possible.
2. Hamas refused the deal. The Media gets it wrong every time. To change the terms is to suffer the consequences.
3. Any pressure on Netanyahu is secondary to the internal pressure within Israel -- unreported by Robert. All recent polls show that Ganz has huge support.
4. To get a cease fire, pressure Qatar, which grants asylum to murderers and rapists. Pressure neighboring Arab countries that refuse to give asylum to innocent Gazans. Protest Arab on Arab killing, like hundreds of thousands in Syria and Yemen.
1. Biden evaded US & international law to send munitions to Israel. All aid to Israel must stop now.
2. Hamas accepted the deal, but Israel rejected it.
3. Yes, Bibi and the other hard-liners in Israel have a lot of support, and they continue to inflame it every day (sort of like T in the US) — but Biden could have shut down the genocide seven months ago if he wanted to. He is fully complicity in war crimes and the ultimate crime of genocide. He should be tried for war crimes.
4. To get a real ceasefire, stop sending aid to Israel. The Dems wouldn't have to tell so many lies to preserve an appearance of caring if they would have the courage to do what's right — morally and legally. Stop the arms flow entirely and do it right now.
Israel is a rogue state. The only real solution is to require Israel to end — permanently — its ethnic cleansing, apartheid, brutality & intimidation of Palestinians, flagrant defiance of international law and security council resolutions, and withdrawing completely from all territory occupied outside the original 'green line'.
No time needed — he has lied about doing everything he can to get Netanyahu to stop the genoocide; that Israel is acting in self-defense; that the ICJ rulings are 'not binding'; that the protests against US-backed Israel's genocide were not peaceful; ..... I could go on and on, but what's the point?
"everything he can" is pretty open ended. I wish Biden would be more forceful, but you're parsing this pretty finely. And I fairly certain he said there was room for peaceful protests and disagreement.
Here is video of Joe Biden lying about everything. What happened to your spreadsheet of trumps lies? I noticed y’all quit keeping that now that your liar is in office.
Why do you only approach the ceasefire from the Biden side ? Obviously Hamas started the conflict by invading and killing 1200 and talking hostage over 300- WHO supports Hamas with guns weapons and the power to control millions of Gazans? Why are we not focusing on that ?
MAGA doesn’t give a shit what you fucktards think, don’t flatter yourself. The entire planet, except for you losers can tell that you’re all fucking Brainwashed and your head is full of lies because all you talk about all day long it’s just a bunch of lies. Everybody laughs at you and scorns you behind your back. I’m just here doing it in your face.
Wouldn't it be more correct to say that the conflict was started by Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories and its illegal siege/blockade of Gaza? The Palestinians did, of course, have a right to armed resistance is clearly established in international law.
When they tried nonviolent resistance in the 'March of Return' a few years ago, Israel deployed snipers who picked off 200+ Palestinians — including medics.
Anyway, on October 8 or 9, Hamas offered to do a prisoner exchange, but Israel refused.
This is not that simple. A majority of Israelis oppose the settlers and oppose Netanyahu just as most Americans wanted Roe vs Wade and not Dobbs. We wanted the war stopped in Viet Nam and never called the United States a rogue country.
Do you know the exact terms of the exchange? Hamas' demand to release Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange means Hamas terrorists are back in Gaza continuing to use Palestinians as human shields.
The most important date is October 6th an prior. Americans no longer comprehend context and the fact is that Hamas doesn't even have a military and it's Netanyahu himself who has been building up
Iran. Duh. Put your finger back in your nose now. And I bet you $1 million they have some of that leftover Afghanistan weaponry that Biden left them on purpose.
Are we going for an Old Testament "eye for an eye" solution? Then Netanyahu should be limited to killing 1200 Palestinians. I think he's already killed over 30,000. So should the Palestinians be entitled to kill another 30,000 minus 1200 Israelis? do you see how ridiculous this way of thinking is?
Actually, God told Israel to kill every single living thing animals women, children, everyone and take no spoils when they moved into the land that God gave them. They didn’t do that and now they still have Hamas fucking with them. That’s the kind of shit that happens when you don’t do what God says. And by the way, “an eye for an eye” is not in the bible. I don’t know if you remember what else is in the Bible, but that whole thing with Sodom & Gomorrah, and Noah and the flood. The people were living like Leftists do now, and God put a stop to it. That is what you should be expecting if you were in your right minds.
Why does it seem that you are working for MAGA? Where has this passion been all this time? Blame Biden; that is your strategy. For things that have, sadly, been going on for decades! tRump will not make it better! For Anyone!
Stop supporting and enabling Hamas, Iran and terrorists. Israel isn't a rogue state, but they are certainly surrounded by them. Israel is the only legit nation in the area. All the others are Frankenstein nations created out of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Snap out of it, put on a pot of coffee, and read the history.
I am very familiar with the history. For decades, Israel has broken/ignored international law and dozens of UN resolutions and has been committing the crimes of ethnic cleansing, apartheid, land theft, and illegal occupation — and now, genocide. All with US complicity.
I hope you noticed that Iran's recent response to Israel's totally illegal attack on its embassy in Syria warned US & Israel in advance and deliberately avoided all civilian targets. Israel, on the other hand, targets civilians, hospitals, universities, churches & mosques, schools, and every 'safe zone' where they told people to go.
So I'm afraid Israel proves every day that it is the 'Frankenstein nation'.
I agree with Peter in many issues that he raised. Mr. Biden could have stop Netanyahu long time ago, instead he keeps facilitating the genocide of Palestinians by providing weapons, economic and political support to the Israeli government regardless the incessant mounting of children, women and the elderly being victimized by the IDF. However, we can't forget the role played by Democrat and Republican representatives and senators who decided that the financial support they receive from AIPAC is more important that Palestinian lives. We must remember that the US wasn't founded, in spite of what is stated on the Constitution, on the ideals of fraternity, civility, honesty or even on equal rights for its citizens. Notwithstanding, we have tried to strike a balance and play a more or less nonpartisan game whenever we have been involved in situation like the current ones.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu, as Mr. Reich says, aren't the traditional foes that we fought in the past; these men are extremely dangerous and not concern about anybody but themselves or the damage to the country. Both should be stop immediately if we want to give ourselves an opportunity to re-insert ourselves in the international community. Unfortunately, Democrats and Republicans equally aren't preoccupied with our individual or collective future; their mediocre, shortsighted approach and lack of commitment, honesty and sincerity to what the US represent in the world got loss in the bundles of dollars they are making, directly and indirectly and/or pseudo-legal as US government officials.
That you can list this propaganda in one breath tells me you've totally bought into the Islamists claims. UN resolutions? The UN is the most corrupt organization on the face of the earth.
Why the US continues to participate and fund this nest of antisemites is beyond reason. You accuse Israel of violating international law? What about Hamas, Hezbollah, PLO, Iran, Saudi, etc.? Let alone Russia.
Israel has been warning Gazan's to leave, where to go, and phoning buildings and dropping leaflets to try to reduce or eliminate civilian harm. Hamas on the other hand, shoots their onw people if they try to leave. Hamas steals international aid for its "soldiers", and any left-over they sell at inflated prices to their own people. Their leadership openly declares the lives of their citizens are of no concern to them has they attempt genocide against Israeli's. Do you know why? Because they believe anyone who dies fighting the "infidel" in the name of Islam and Jihad goes directly to heaven. Like they say, "we love death more than Israeli's love life".
If this is the people and culture you want to support, that's up to you. The ONLY reason Israel targets hospitals, universities etc. is because Hamas against international law have placed their fighters and equipment there. Making them legitimate targets. BTW, 300km of underground tunnels, airshafts, A/C, meeting rooms, etc.? While their own people suffer? Islam translated means "submit". Like communism, it is a totalitarian system where any objection results in imprisonment or death. If that's what you support, then we know who you are. I hope Israel is able to finally finish the job and eliminate Hamas. Then, they need to look north, and finish Hezbollah. Ultimately, for the freedom of the suffering Iranian people, support their uprising against their theocracy and return their nation to the community of the civilized. Good Day.
Why isn't anyone mentioning the U.S. role as "Jerusalem of the West?" Israel is so entrenched in U.S. culture, from media to entertainment to finance, that we are constrained to protect their interests.
Genocide: "the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group."
Hamas has embedded itself under, around, and within civic infrastructure.
"Since its creation in December 1987, Hamas has invoked militant interpretations of Islam to spearhead a Sunni extremist movement committed to destroying Israel." https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/doctrine-hamas
It's not a "genocide" to defend yourself against terrorists whose mission is to erase you and your country-- indeed, whose mission is your own genocide.
Slaughtering civilians in Gaza is not 'self defense'.
Hamas has done nothing that meets the definition of genocide.
The Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide which defines the term as any effort to “destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group” by causing “serious bodily or mental harm” to group members, imposing “conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.” Israel's attack meets all these criteria.
Gaza has been lobbing rockets into Israel for as long as I’ve been alive and that’s a long long time. Unprovoked. Hamas are the Gazans. The Gazans ARE Hamas. They are the brothers and sons and husbands of the women and men who’ve raised them to be that way. Hamas, representing the Palestinians, so-called, have been refusing every offer for any kind of peace whatsoever at every turn 100% of the time for the last 50+ years. Prior to that those people have been fighting each other for the last 5000 years.
On October 7th Hamas deliberately raped, tortured, burned, and mutilated innocent women, men, children and babies. This does not fit genocide? If given more time they would have slaughtered more people. What am I missing??
If it was actually a genocide, Israel would be trying to destroy all Arabs because Palestinians are just Arabs. They are not their own race. And they’re not their own country either. They never have been. The area has been called Palestine but it has never been an actual country.
1. What specific U.S. & what specific international laws did Biden evade when he sent munitions to Israel?
2. There have been so many deals floated, Which specific—date & time-deal or deals did Hamas accept and Israel reject?
3. How exactly could Biden have shut down Israel’s aggression 7 months ago? Netanyahu has demonstrated repeatedly that he will do what he wants to do regardless of what President Biden has
said to him. And, by the way, we don’t know everything Biden and Netanyahu have said to each other since 10/23.
Unlike Ukraine, Israel has stockpiles of arms such that U.S. withholding of arms shipments over the last 6 months wouldn’t have affected Israel’s aggression.
4. While I personally agree there must be a cease fire
and the return of every Israeli hostage, alive or dead asap, there’s more to the U.S. support for Israel than most people realize:
“Steadfast support for Israel’s security has been a cornerstone of American foreign policy for every U.S. Admin.since the 1948–1953 presidency of Harry S.Truman.” (state.gov) These are longstanding formal agreements that would be upheld separate and apart from any agreements the U.S. has made as a result of 10/23.
It’s important to realize Palestinian militants, &/or Hamas have engaged in aggression against Israel for 23 years, since 2001, in addition to the 10/7/23 attack. (Hence the reference that Israel is acting in self-defense) Palestinian militants have launched tens of thousands of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip as part of the continuing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The attacks, widely condemned for targeting civilians, have been described as terrorism by the United Nations, the European Union, and Israeli officials, and are defined as war crimes by human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Congress has oversight over American weapons sales to allies. That means the decision to send
I’ll try to respond to everything you raised, but I’ve probably missed some things…
1. US law prohibits supplying arms to any country with a record of human rights violations and the Leahy law has similar provisions with respect to individual military units or commands. Biden has ignored both. I don't know all the specifics of international law, but the genocide convention calls for all signatories to do everything possible to prevent /stop even the risk of genocide, and the ICJ found a plausible case that Israel is engaging in genocide and issued 'provisional measures' [similar to an injunction] requiring immediate and unrestricted humanitarian aid, including water, fuel, electricity, shelter, medical care and supplies; it also ordered Israel to make sure its armed forces did not commit any acts that would violate the rights of Palestinians. These orders are binding on Israel and all signatories [including Israel and the US], but Biden said they are not binding and has continued to supply military aid to Israel even as they ignore the ICJ and continue with actual genocide.
2. I think Hamas rejected proposals after the November ceasefire until the current one. The ones in between all committed only to a pause in the fighting, but not a lasting ceasefire.
3. Biden could have stopped the genocide with phone call to Netanyahu, because Israel could not continue without massive military supplies from the US; in addition, the US vetoed multiple security council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire. Some of the stockpiles you mention are US stockpiles, but Israel apparently can access them at will. Even so, they are using thousands of bombs, missiles, and rounds of ammunition every day. In the Fall, a high-ranking member of the Israeli Occupation Force said publicly they could only continue on their own for a few days.
4. As far as I know, none of the mutual aid commitments say anything about helping Israel wage an offensive war against a civilian population. And none of them commit the US to violate international law or abet the crime of genocide .
Self defense? — There’s no way slaughtering a civilian population or destroying hospitals, schools, universities, churches & mosques, and aid distribution facilities can be considered ‘self defense’. Under international law, Israel has a right to protect its citizens but has no right to attack the population in occupied territory. (Although the occupied population does have a specific right to resist the occupation, even using armed resistance.)
It didn’t start on October 7 — Israel kills Palestinians in the West Bank every day, and has done so for many years. They had already killed over 200 unarmed Palestinians in 2023 BEFORE Oct. 7. Israel has mounted attacks on Gaza every few years, a practice that Netanyahu called ‘mowing the lawn’. Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza is illegal under international law
Terrorism? — The US and the EU are partners in crime with Israel and continue to support the genocide despite the ICJ ruling. The US even labeled the Yemeni people as terrorists, despite the fact that Yemen is the only country that is actually doing all it can to stop the genocide.
Apartheid — UN agencies, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem have all condemned Israel for apartheid laws and practices and for blatant discrimination against Palestinians. In the West Bank, Palestinians are often arrested and held without charge, sometimes for years. The UN and other organization have substantial evidence of torture, sexual assault, and other abuses in Israel detention.
Weapons shipments — Congress does have nominal control over arms exports, but Biden evaded Congressional review for some shipments. And our current Congress seems more concerned with politics than following the law. Or the Constitution. Or international law.
Now, of course, Congress has specifically authorized a new military aid package, which means that those who voted for it could, technically, also be charged with complicity in war crimes and/or genocide.
Peter is all outraged about Hamas in Palestine but he doesn’t give a shit about the Uighurs over in China. Or those people over in Africa digging diamonds.
Hamas is a terror organization which has never been trustworthy. They violated a cease fire and slaughtered and raped 1200.
I just want everyone to remember how we got here. Of course Israel should end this war. But, the hostages must be released and Hamas can no longer rule Gaza. They lost their place at the table.
As with many other claims about Oct. 7, the claim that Hamas violated a cease fire, slaughtered and raped 1200 people have been shown to be false, and even the IOF has admitted that they killed many of the people in Kibbutz Be'eri, near the rave, and at the Eretz crossing military base, in accord with their 'Hannibal Directive'.
Thank you for some sanity, these Biden liberals and Robert Reich have lost all sense of morality and are turning against students, college professors, us or anyone who seems to stand in the way of Biden idolatry. A moral and spiritual sickness.
Saying it doesn't make it true — wake up to the facts.
For decades, Israel has broken/ignored international law and dozens of UN resolutions and has been committing the crimes of ethnic cleansing, apartheid, land theft, and illegal occupation — and now, genocide. All with US complicity.
Israel recently made a totally illegal attack on its embassy in Syria. Before responding, Iran warned US & Israel in advance and deliberately avoided civilian targets. Israel, on the other hand, intentionally targets civilians, hospitals, universities, churches & mosques, schools, and every 'safe zones' where they told people to go — even people trying to get food aid. And they have prevented almost all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza — another war crime.
Personally, I think you’re a paid seditionist from another country, Iran maybe, and I think you should be investigated. In fact, I think this whole thread is just to attract fucking losers who love their brainwaahing and want a constant IV drip of lies and sedition going onto their skulls.
Neither of you cretins are right. Qatar funds the very universities that the death to america non student NON AMERICAN insurrectionists are shitting on right now and you spent floor-sperms are condescendingly trying to act like intellectuals discussing shit you know NOTHING ABOUT OVERSEAS. WHILE YOUR DEPENDS-SHITTING PRESIDENT WAFFLES, THROWS OUR MONEY AT BOTH SIDES AND TELLS YOU THAT CANNIBALS ATE HIS UNCLE, “FOR REAL”, “NOT JOKING” You people make the rest of us want to wretch. Good luck when the country falls all tje way down, because you fucking assholes took it down. You’re gonna need it.
(BTW I know of no current protests other than those demanding that they disclose their investments, sever ties with corporations involved in the arms trade and/or involved with the zionist project, severing institutional ties with Israeli institutions, and for the US to stop abetting genocide. One or two have united with similar divestment in fossil fuels.)
Well, then, you’re a fucking idiot Peter because every fucking day there’s news on television about the protests on all the college campuses. So you can sit there and gaslight everybody all fucking night if you want you fucking Iranian-paid piece of shit but you’re fucking wrong and you’re fucking spreading misinformation and Propaganda on here. Why don’t you go fuck yourself asshole
Every news Outlet including BBC said Hamas accepted the ceasefire agreement and Israel is refusing it. Plus Israelis have wanted Netanyahu gone ever since he got elected. Just like the US wanted Trump gone as soon as he got elected
Only an agreement if parties agree to teems. Qatar and Egypt aren't parties The news outlets misrepresent what happened. Not an an "agreement." Merely an unilateral "offer".
The parties could, if they were rational, agree in principle to avoid bloodshed, and work out the details later. .
Because Hamas has lied every single time they’ve ever made a deal and that’s why. So nobody should trust Hamas anymore because they’re liars, like Peter.
Hamas did not refuse the deal. They accepted it. Then Netanyahu said it wasn’t the deal HE wanted and the attacks would continue.
Netanyahu is pushing this war for two reasons. His butt is in the same sling Trumps is, and if the war ends he will again be facing Israeli courts. He believes he will be considered a hero if he continues the war and devastates the Palestinians so much that there are none left to continue to fight.
But that’s a fools hope because he is universally despised by the voting public and the ONLY reason he is still in office is because he has convinced the Israeli people that changing leaders would be catastrophic.
Like Trump, Netanyahu has repeatedly moved the goal posts for a ceasefire. Not Hamas.
And you will probably have noticed that there are still hostages……no previous Israeli government would have ignored those hostages while going to war. Every last one of them except Netanyahu’s government would have gone balls to the walls, hair on fire, to get all those hostages back, before they did ANYTHING else. Not Netanyahu, and the reason was clear when one of his Defence Ministers stated IN PUBLIC, that since they were all Kibbutzim, and leftists, they weren’t particularly important to the government except as symbols!
I get such a laugh out of those who defend Israel completely, who have never been to Israel, never lived there, have NO idea how day to day life is and just how very poorly everyone who isn’t male, Israeli, and preferably Orthodox, is treated by the peoples of Israel. This is NOT the peace seeking country of the movie “Exodus”, and hasn’t come even close for more than 30 years. It has been and is a hard right wing country who sees “others” as enemies not people and treats them the same way the American Right wing treats those who disagree with them.
Well said. I don’t condone the killing but negotiating with Hamas is not going to get it done. They have proven they are incapable of living up to their responsibility.
I have just glanced thru all of this. I’ve questioned all along whether Biden has the authority to stop military aid to Israel since it is appropriated by Congress. What money or military supply is given to Israel needs to have conditions on it at least.
1. From a Reuters story today: << Hamas said in a brief statement that its chief, Ismail Haniyeh, had informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators that the group accepted their proposal for a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said later that the truce proposal fell short of Israel's demands but Israel would send a delegation to meet with negotiators to try to reach an agreement.
Qatar's foreign ministry said its delegation will head to Cairo on Tuesday to resume indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.>>
2. So, apparently, everybody gets to say their side did A-B-C and the other side id X-Y-Z, and the rest of us get to scratch our heads and wonder what the f—- is going on.
Reuters does.t understand. or doesn't want to understand that the parties are Israel and Hamas. Simple contract. Offer and acceptance. That document was not negotiated with Israel.
Knesset has voted for deals several times now, but Hamas won't agree to the terms. Won't negotiate. 99% of the time, comes down to "ladders." Israel goes down a rung. Hamas goes up.
If they want a deal can agree tin principle, work out the details later. In my experience, after all this time, so many dead, Hamas doesn't want a deal.
I read Biden had refused to send a shipment of some offensive ammunition. Somewhere. Not very much detail. I forget where.
Obviously not a lot the media had to say about it.
And apparently not enough.
Yes indeed the rethug Congress and probably the entire drumpf faction, including those chanting "Jews will not replace us" are rabidly supporting Netanyahu.
A fairly recent poll by an Israeli polling organization shows that Netanyahu has 15% support among Israelis. That means that 85% of Israelis do not support Netanyahu. Viva Schumer's call for new elections! The Israeli parliament has the power to call for new elections any time. I hope Biden is pressuring the Knesset to schedule a new election.
I do not understand how you conclude that HAMAS rejected the Israeli proposal because they proposed an alternative. The very essence of negotiating is presenting a proposal, the other side presents its proposal. Both sides then work toward an agreement both sides can live with. It demands compromise on both sides. Our way or the highway is rigid and demands that one side surrender.
@ Charles. Not true. Can agree in principle, work out terms later.
I wouldn't mediate unless both sides agree that they want a deal. They don't have to be in the same location. Mediators can go from party to party in "caucus."
I agree with Daniel. It is my understanding that Hamas refused a settlement that mediators and the U S thought reasonable. Hamas walked away. But that is less significant than continuing bombing in Gaza and delay of medical and starvation relief. The moral tide has turned And Netanyahu needs to stop.
Hamas did not refuse the deal. Israel refused the deal because they want to continue massacring civilians with our weapons. One shipment out of hundreds was stopped. That's the headline you cherry pick? Who precisely are you working for? Boeing? Raytheon? AIPAC?
Point #2: Hamas wants withdrawal of all Israeli military. Israel wants to gain and retain basically total sovereignty over Gaza. Hamas won't buy that. Neither would I. And what happens when Israel annihilates some Hamas and huge numbers of innocents and wins? Israel will have no more reason to treat Arabs within Israel with any dignity (not that they did before) and fairness. Israel also will no longer have any problems with other surrounding countries (YEAH, RIGHT). We call many things atrocities, but what Hamas did on October 7 was beyond atrocity. What Israel has done since is beyond atrocity. It seems clear that, in some way, Israel was waiting for an October 7 to do what it's wanted to do all along. AND, lest we forget, Israel endorsed the forerunner of Hamas to get rid of the PLO. Do we think the problem will end with Hamas?
I'm Jewish (Foster, nee Goldman) and have, albeit distant, family in Israel. What racial subconscious has overwhelmed me?
(OK, that's all a lie, although my first husband was Goldman and my sister's husband is Jewish as well. My children and her children went to Hebrew school and were bat and bar mitzvah. THAT's true. Also true: I was in Israel in 1969 and fell in love with it and its people. Or are you saying my racial subconscious is against all Arabs? Now I'm confused.)
I agree with you Daniel! So few people get it. Thank you for your clarity. As much as I dislike Bibi, his going into Rafa is producing positive results for Israel and the hostages.
First Cease fire, then seduce Russian troops to defect... Get to these barely draft age draftees like you didn't get to Trump paying his supporters to get violent in 2015. In 2015 Trump first offered to pay legal fees for supporters who attacked protesters. When you gaslit my plan to organize 3 actors ( playing a MAGA, a protester stunt man, and an EMT ambulance driver) to sue Trump... YOU GAVE A GREEN LIGHT TO TRUMP AND BIBI AND PUTIN AND XI.
This isn't about the United States. This is about the world. There's maggots everywhere and both Trump and Netanyahu need a spanking along with Putin and others. You do know this is a worldwide situation and they just need the United States to finish the job. The US has all the money and all the weapons. They can't get rid of 80% of the population without the US
Without a doubt, the killing and destruction on both sides must stop. it is useless to quibble over supply and demand of military weaponry. What the UN, the ICC and governments around the globe must be made to enforce is the idea that to behave like one's enemy is the short path to self-destruction of both combatants. Otherwise, our world will never survive to know the true implementation of peace. Furthermore these international bodies must encourage the innocent citizens of these warring countries to rise up against their authoritarian leaders, prosecute them for their crimes and remove them from power in any manner necessary. while I understand that January sixth was a twisted and vile attempt to do just that, I believe that with encouragement and support by international legal entities this "rebellion" can be structured to accomplish what is necessary.
Neither one of these people acts alone. In the case of Mr. Trump, he has many Republicans who are helping him. In the case of Prime Minister Netanyahu, his right-wing coalition government is the result of years of bombings etc. from their neighbors.
and the "good guys" are the ones giving 50 billion to a genocidal radical right regime, supporting their genocide to the hilt, enabling police brutality, dismantling free speech, endangering our students and smearing them, funding forever wars and sacrificing Europe on the altar of "freedom and democracy"
yeah buddy... sure. I'm so glad that fascism came back under the good guys, cause otherwise it would feel way worse
Tell me where you got the idea that Trump wants to be “emperor of the United States”. Did you just pull that out of your ass? Or did some other Leftist pull it out of his ass and hand it to you and you just love holding his shit?
YOU lying assholes are the ones said Trump wanted to be emperor of the United States and then you fucking proclaimed It as truth. That’s a pattern of speech that you god-forsaken dirtbags have been using forever and guess what, we reject you and your ubiquitous lies. And I don’t want one single one of you fucking cretins to tell me that Trump said on TV that he was going to be a dictator only one day. You fucking assholes don’t even recognize when you’re being mocked. HE WAS MOCKING YOU FUCKTARDS AND YOU THINK ITS REAL. That’s how fucking retarded you fucking Leftist piece of fucking shit are.
Tell me, Beverly, sweetie, which one of these things do you love the most about the Democrat platform:
1: chopping live infants into smaller chunks and sucking them from their mother’s wombs so Planned Parenthood can sell the parts?
2: Transing of minors to include removing their genitals and pumping them full of hormones?
3: Pedo Men dressed as women reading to your toddlers at the library?
4: Having a depends-sharting wax corpse being led around by his caretaker and POA telling everyone cannibals ate his Uncle as your leader?
5: Incentivizing fighting aged males from countries that hate us pour across the border and then having the biden, and Admin fly them to deep recesses of the country, and dropping them off in your city on your tax dollar?
6: Clapping like a seal as your president jails his political enemies?
7: Allowing men in woman-face compete and win in sports and then having them shower with your daughter in the girls locker room, stealing her chances at getting scholarship?
I could do this all night, but which of those things makes you the proudest Beverly? Which one of those things just make sure eyes glow with pride?
Are you really proud of what the Democrat party stands for? Because I personally think it’s a demented platform and God‘s gonna have you all on your knees before it’s over with, and you won’t be proud of supporting what the Democrat party supports after you have your meeting.
It's all just words Robert. Talk and more talk. No one is standing up in front of Congress or holding press conferences live and in person to lead us in a movement that has effects. We are all getting a little tired of watching, listening talking, and reading without any action. I admire so much the students who are working so hard to have an actual impact. I believe they are having some positive effects but until seasoned veteran demonstrators like yourself get out there in the streets and start leading, nothing will change. Sorry to harp on our frustrations but we have very little momentum to build on to begin with. We are being pushed away from the dock with no wind or fuel.
Merchan should’ve jailed Trump long ago. His violations of the gag order began immediately after the gag orders issued. Were Trump any other “regular“ defendant he would’ve been sanctioned and jailed long ago. In his comments, Merchan even said in determining penalties he is taking into consideration the fact that Trump was once President.
But Trump can't lose. If he continues to defy the gag order he asserts his power by disobeying the law, and getting away with it. If he gets jailed, then he'll scream about being a victim and that the process is rigged, and the 'System' is trying to silence him, and that the 'truth' cannot be silenced. His followers will eat that stuff up, and probably donate more to 'save' him. He needs to choke on a Big Mac, preferably while on the John so that no one notices until it's too late.
If Trump decides to shift from the Messiah role to the martyr role, go for it. He’ll eventually wind up marginalized like the failed leaders before him. I learned this from Robert Reich’s leadership lectures. So yes, throw the bastard in jail for contempt of court.
This is looking good. Screw up on the gag and he goes to jail and then possibly stays there. I wonder if he would switch gears and then request for the trials to not be delayed. Stop attacking the witness, jurors etc and they get a respit and once the trial is done a good chance he gets a jail sentence albeit a relatively short one. He is painting himself into a corner. I am sure he will blame everyone but himself for it.
Drumpf’s recent calls to his followers to turnout i mass protest to his “mistreatment” has resulted in zero. I predict that zero will continue to happen if he’s put in jail.
The white supremists like his rhetoric but feel burnt by Jan 6th. Are there people who want to overthrow the government, yes, they are all still there. Will they risk their ass a second time for "vonshitz"? The lack of protests here in NY have answered that question.
Treat him like the two yr old he's behaving as, time out in jail kicking and screaming if necessary and remain there until he maintains compliance.. As long as it takes..It's worked for the magats that have been jailed. He's never been restrained in his life before NOWS THE TIME!!!
“djt” hasn’t been a faux messiah for eons, he whines to much to fit that role. Role of Imitation “martyr” like margarine is to butter, for those ok with crappy substitutes, maybe. Judge Merchan’s rather smart, doing a “set-up,” by tracking the crybaby defendant, who can’t keep his mouth shut. By tallying fines until they add up to impressive Total
#s$$$$$$!
Whollop the whiner in the pocketbook 1st, each time blabber mouth Had been duly Warned, so No excuses. Recall, wise Judge that he is, also referred to the alternative penalty option, each time: Jail Time, that was a penalty for contempt, If monetary fines continued if the defendant chose to keep defying court orders. How very like an excellent puppy trainer, keeping things simple, and repetitious for an obviously untrained puppy, er,….
Trump is no bastard. He is an ass hole. I think that seeing him getting arrested and led to jail might be a sobering event for at least some of his supporters. So much for the fake macho!
Merchan needs to stop coddling the POS DJT. ''Merchan said in determining penalties he is taking into consideration the fact that TUMP was once President.'' So what??? Why does being president give a serial criminal special privileges?? Anyone else would have been jailed for the first violation. There seems to be no equal justice under the law when it comes to the Mango Mussolini. I don't know yet where i will go, but if he somehow wins in November, i am leaving the United States, or die trying.
Leaving the US. Well, I don’t know if my mental health can withstand what his being in office again would bring. Too many of the people I love aren’t paying attention or think it won’t be that bad. I’m 77. I do love Ireland and Wales.
I’m in Canada and a Trump win will affect us all. I am too close for comfort here because I wouldn’t put any thing past a dictatorship like a land grab of his next door neighbors
You're likely in much better physical and mental health than Trump. And both places are lovely this time of year. Plus I hear the UK is changing political parties with Ireland not that far behind.
Actually, Merchan said that Trump used to be President, and might be again, but isn't now. "And I have a job to do." I.e. put DJT in jail for contempt if he has to.
Trump is running scared. Why else would he lower himself to entering "Vonshitsinpants" into the public record? The last thing he wants to do is show incontinent weakness. Thats advertising his weakness. A desperate strategy that will fail.
Thank you for your reply, Bill. I hope by all means his desperation ends in utter failure. I want to see him go down!!! The damage he has already done to our nation is off the charts!
As much as I detest Trump Im thinking Judge Merchan has handled
Trump and the trial very well. He has given Trump the two strikes on the third he will ne nailed and no one can call
That unfair. He was (strangely stilll!!) President after all. Now if T hoes to jail it will be very clear he did it to himself by acting like a toddler.
I think he Doesn’t want the trial to be disrupted. If it’s disrupted trump would contest and eventually it would go to the Supreme Court and we know how that would go…delay delay delay - what trump wants. One thing the judge could do is order him to jail but not until the trial is over. Then every time trump violates the gag order add another day to his upcoming jail term and another $1000 fine.
I thought I read that the secret service was already planning for a potential jail sentence. Merchan needs to do it, and no special treatment in jail, no phone, no photo ops. SS can surround the jerk.
The problem, as I understand it, is that the trial is put on hold as long as Trump is in jail. They should Zoom it so Trump can still be present virtually and trial can go on. Haven't heard anyone suggest that.
I don't see how this can be true. It would mean any defendant would have the power to delay their trial indefinitely. But then, the law seems to have a logic of its own which I don't understand.
I have signed numerous petitions stating no one is above the law, not even a former president. If anything, Judge Merchan should have jailed him the first time he violated the gag order just like he would have done to any other citizen in this country. The key word is "FORMER" which means now he is an ordinary citizen like the rest of us!
This is the strictest any Judge has been with Trump and he is scared. Since the first gag violation hearing in this trial (between that and the 2nd hearing) Trump has completely clammed up. When he tried to self create that his lawyer said the gag order prevented him from testifying and thus leave room for an appeal Judge Merchan immediately corrected him. The dude really does not want to go to jail.
Absolutely. Far from being the poor victim he portrays himself as, Trump has been given incredibly preferential treatment. Is everyone scared of this disgraceful excuse for a human being?
I'm not . . . but apparently those who are afraid of losing their powerful posts and appointments are! Trump has the whole world acting crazy with hatred and violence against each other. IT IS ASTOUNDING TO ME THAT NO ONE HAS TAKEN HIM OUT . . . LONG AGO. But with people like Putin and Netanyahu, and the REPUBLICAN'TS and the "Project 2025-ers" needing such a useful idiot FRONT MAN to lean on and carry out their nefarious, criminal, Democracy-destroying activities behind, it looks like my fondest wish is not going to be fulfilled any time soon! Alas! What this world needs is one less Donald Trump! But the world sickeningly and sadly let Hitler spread hatred and derision across the globe, and now history is repeating itself. Do we never learn? Lord, do we never learn?
The fact that Judge Merchan said that, suggests that being a former President gives some kind of immunity, or makes it improper to jail him, even for a short time. But tRUMP would then just become the "political prisoner" or the "hostage."
“The last thing I want to do is put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well,” Judge Juan Merchan told Trump today. [now yesterday]
That’s the last thing Merchan should have said. He’s basically telling Trump that he can do and say whatever he wants and that he’ll get away with it. Trump, Merchan and everyone else knows if anyone else was sitting in the defendant’s chair, that person would have been jailed for contempt long ago.
Yes, the judge’s written order does say future violations could result in jailing, but realistically will it? Trump is begging to be jailed. To be the martyr. To fund raise off of it.
Merchan doesn’t want to jail Trump because of the possibility of an appeal and delay. In his Jurist’s heart, he’d loved to. For Merchan, this has become an exercise in the ultimate professional self restraint against a man that has none.
The true test will be when Cohen is on the stand. Can Trump keep himself from exploding in the courtroom? I for one, hope not. Jail him on the spot. In front of the jury. Better be it Trump himself that prejudices the jury.
It was the part about him being "possibly the next president as well"! THAT was shocking! He shouldn't be offering any encouragement at all in that regard to Trump! As for the Secret Service, in my opinion they should not even be considered. Give them a much needed break, for heaven's sake! Trump should not have been assigned Secret Service protection in the first place! He is an insurrectionist, a traitor, a treasonous criminal acting against the interests of the United States government! Since when do the lowest of the low get S.S. protection?? And that $200,000 presidents receive every year for the rest of their lives?? Huh? Trump should not be receiving one penny, else it appears our government is PAYING HIM to continue acting criminally against this nation! Merchan should put up or shut up. Either FINE TRUMP HUGELY AND STOP TALKING ABOUT JAIL, OR JAIL HIM AND GO ON WITH THE CASE OVER CLOSED-CIRCUIT TV! I like Judge Merchan and his heretofore righteous handling of Trump, but with Scott McAfee in the GA case not dealing quickly and forthrightly to remove Fani Willis and IMMEDIATELY appoint a new prosecutorial team so they could move on quickly with that; and Aileen Cannon in FL skulking her way thru the documents case to give Trump every advantage in his stall tactics (making her an accomplice, aider and abettor to espionage and violations of National Security); and now the THUGS ALITO, GORSUCH AND THOMAS (and possibly Roberts as well?) on the "Supreme" Court, intentionally snail-walking their unnecessary "decision" in the immunity question (14th Amendment, Section 3, guys, is all you need to know!!!), I am losing all faith in any "justice" remaining in this country! There are several petitions out there to get Cannon removed from the FL documents case (MoveOn.org, Change.org, and the Daily Kos), just waiting for all of you to sign them and share with others. SCOTUS needs to be inundated with letters from all of us, regarding their seeming collusion with Trump, AND TO BE TOLD THAT WE THE PEOPLE CAN MOVE TO END THEIR TERMS AND REMOVE THEM, NO MATTER HOW POWERFUL THEY THINK THEY ARE. Write one letter and make 8 copies, making sure to use the Cc: feature at the end of your letter so that the ROGUE conservative (authoritarian) males on the court know that every other justice has read it as well.
There is a lot of action we can all take. We just have to make a concerted effort to do it!
Christopher F., And his current statement indicating that Trump has now disregarded him for 11 times so now he really has to consider jail if he does it again. Any parent would have to admit that their child was winning.
Yes, I wish things moved quicker & that TFP had already been sanctioned in some way that would make him shut up. However, Judge Merchan is following legal procedures and making sure none of his rulings will lose on appeal. I have developed the utmost respect for him, his fairness, integrity, and his belief in the rule of the law.
Make no mistake, I appreciate his doing all he can to make sure there are no grounds for appeals. But he is at times bending over too far and should treat Trump more like any other defendant would be treated.
Why don’t they create an AD about the fact that Trump LIES so much , it is listed in Wikipedia that he lied over 30,573 times during his presidency?
They grilled Stormy Daniel’s about her credibility. Maybe someone should Google Trump’s lies and state that to color the juror’s minds. He is lying again that it didn’t happen.
Please get this to the prosecutors or to Hakeem Jeffries. We need to remind everyone that Trump LIES!
This case is likely the only case that the public with “hear” before the election. I am getting worried!
And isn’t it ironic that numerous people in his cabinet and those he was linked to were criminally indicted?
Why isn’t anyone talking about how Trump is a notorious LIAR in AD’s and in the courtroom??
...indeed were it any one of us we'd be languishing in a jail cell for months.
Tired of the wealthy, privileged, and powerful getting preferred treatment which violates the basis for the 14th amendment.
As to Netanyahu, he will only accept an end to the hostilities if it is strictly on his terms, just like a certain other authoritarian ruler who's been in the news for the last couple years.
Thank you Victor, but in reality I can only begin to imagine the horror and pain of those who have suffered. I am not forced to endure it; they are. If only we could stay focused on what is humane, like ending genocide, whenever, wherever it occurs.
Victor Kamendrowsky , my comment above was in reference to one I made earlier on this site that we all mistakenly take sides while people continue to die. It matters not to them.
Valid point, DK, but trying to intimidate and disparage jurors and witnesses is cowardly and illegal. We must enforce the law. MLK and Mandela defended universal values of justice. Trump has followed the Hitler playbook of denial and scapegoating, and he must be dealt accordingly.
Judge Merchan has followed procedures & law, so I expect some form/amount of detainment or confinement with the next violation, even if an hour in the cell behind the courtroom.
I agree wholeheartedly Professor. It's long past time to stop coddling both of these men. I don't think we should've sent the last round of Bombs to Bibi but defintely no more!! Not until there's a cease fire and Major aid gets through to the people of Gaza.
As far as Trump goes that is such a difficult decision for Judge Merchan. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes for anything. By all accounts we all know Trump should've been in Jail a long time ago but it's so difficult to predict what his insane followers will do. But it's definitely way past time now. I'm praying he makes the right decision. What a clusterf@#k everything is. Going to be a long, arduous summer I'm afraid. God help us all. 🙏🏻🙌
The important thing to read is the correlation between these similar monsters . They both succeed by breeding fear and building separation walls . Authoritarianism grows on fear . Both of these men know how to feed it !
Oh for sure Lauren!! I agree 100%!! I've known for some time Bibi is a mini-Trump. And no words are needed re: Trump. I've been waiting for 9 long years for him to go away along with everyone else. He's like a bad virus. We just can't seem to get rid of him. Hopefully in November we can!!!
I know what you mean, Lisa, but trump is not president right now. If his cult wants to start violence, President Biden will put a stop to it - plain and simple. I, for one, am not afraid of those idiots. If they start something, they can join trump in jail. Enough is enough!!
You're right. It's bad enough worrying about November. No need to borrow trouble right?! I'm just so sick of all of them!! Sick of my own damn state too. Surrounded by them here except for a small few. Oh I almost forgot. Today is Primary day here in Indiana. I must remember to go Vote too
I, too, am surrounded by MAGA! I still talk and present my views although I am regarded as that crazy Democrat! That's okay, I will wear that moniker proudly! I just would like to see a time when our two parties can treat one another with decency and respect. Name calling, intimidation, threats, and lies should not ever become the norm in our society!!
Amen Peggy!! Preach. I agree wholeheartedly. It used to be that way. Someone mentioned to me "If they can keep us divided they can control us." I don't know if that's true or not but this is one time in History as many of us as possible need to come together despite our différences and work to defeat the scourge of DJT and Trumpism once and for all in November!!!
I’m a fifth generation Texan and I’m so sick of those that govern here. The people of Texas are good folks for the most part and many are unhappy with the leadership.
why hard? Treat him like any other. Is it really the judge's job to try and figure out the imponderable "what will his followers do" ? That would mean his followers determine what happens in the courtroom. That is not a good thing.
Lisa, I wish we would learn from history, VP Agnew was a crook, but made a deal to have no personal consequences if he left office, Then President Nixon got a pardon because he resigned and supposedly posed no further threat to the American people. These men should have been charged and required to accept the consequences of their trials. We now have a former president who has engaged in illegal acts, not only did not resign, but is running again. We did not hold these leaders responsible to answer to the law, which we have certainly done for other governors, mayors, congresspersons, judges etc. Now Trump wants to use this as a precedent to not hold him accountable. We must not keep making this same error, We must hold everyone to the same rule of law or what do our laws mean?
Speaking of a Trump gag order jail stint, check out Lucian Truscott's post today, "What Happens if it Happens?" for an insider's look at what that might look like.
I read Lucian Truscott's post and I liked it. It sounds to me like the judge has been extraordinarily lenient with trump. I can only hope, hope, hope he violates the gag order again! He needs to be in jail away from all his bullhorns like phone and media. Spending one quiet night where we wouldn't have to listen to this blow hard would be heaven for me!!
Last night I expressed this in emails to my Rep and Senators and Harris. Sent to Biden before. I noted my kids are half Jewish and the decision was difficult. I am not anti Jewish but anti Netanyahu.
Dale, I have many Jewish friends that absolutely abhor Netanyahu!!! I agree with Lauren that the US needs to make other friends and allies in the Middle Eastern region.
The “stakes” are the same with these two authoritarians. The only difference is micro vs macro. Which is a problem here in America where the only thing both DIMS and GOoPs seem to agree upon, complicitly, is coddling Israel. Another problem is too many Americans can’t or won’t make the connection Isreal is suffering the same mirrored ailments our nation is suffering from. Fighting autocracy. Israel’s biggest struggle has not been with its neighbors, even Palestine. It’s been their fight with the extremist politics and methods of the GOP-Likud. Which, by the way, dissolved into Fascist gel just like our GOP. The sooner Americans can make that connection, our Middle East politics may make the corrections necessary that Jimmy Carter attempted to do years back…because, honestly, no other POTUS has known what the fuck we are doing in that region since Carter!!
I agree that Carter was the last POtus in the know regarding Middle East relations. I feel that the US stance is that Israel is our friend in the region and we fully support our allies . That position ceases to work when our friend acts like a genocidal enemy . Maybe going forward we should attempt to make “friends “ throughout the Middle Eastern region that isn’t at the behest of Israel or oil .
It was mentioned how most of the world has forgotten 1948 . Some of the world remembers that when the lines were drawn and people moved in and people were thrown out . What most of the world forgets is that other lines were drawn that causes different conflicts presently throughout the Middle East
But are we coddling the authoritarians or their followers? It needs to be clearly communicated that Trump is not a king and America is not a kingdom or he’ll just rally the maga’s with more false hoods and try to increase his power by being jailed
I'm not sure why you're not including Putin in the mix, who has once again raised the specter of using nuclear weapons in the conflict, as well as making direct threats against France, UK & US (to go along with his threats against Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, etc.). Russia has also sent agents to Europe & America to bribe & blackmail politicians to do his bidding as well as sabotage infrastructure in Europe. He's committing terrible atrocities against Ukraine & destroying their energy infrastructure.
Anyway, we mustn't be intimidated by these bullies. Merchan must stand up against Trump & actually jail him next time Trump breaks the rules. Biden must stop all aid to Netanyahu. Zelenskyy, Macron & Sunak are all standing up to Putin.
I’m in Georgia now and you feel it . If I see a cartoon in my head it’s sort of the shadow of Putin with a hammer raised over his head above the country .
I reluctantly have to agree with you about Netanyahu. We set conditions for continuing aid -- a plan for protecting civilians in Rafah. No such plan has been forthcoming. It's time to put our (withholding of) money where our mouth is.
Yes, Biden must stop supplying weapons and money to Netanyahu, immediately! Biden is risking our country by supporting the war. He stands to lose much of the youth vote and others—enough votes that could cost him the election. Not only is withdrawing support the right thing morally, he is risking our country being ruled by an evil dictator.
I do blame the evil group Hamas for starting the war and believe Israel has a right to defend itself, but not as they have. Although, Israel has contributed to the animosity for years.
Instead of students demanding divestment, they should be demanding Biden stop supporting Netanyahu.
Something deep in the human psyche loves to empower malevolent narcissistic authoritarians. Until we figure out how to defuse this mental weakness and claim our own inherent power, we will always be at the mercy of these monsters.
I don't suppose you would countenance genetic reengineering? We have had a loooong time to figure it out. People for millennia have tried to build institutions to constrain these monsters. They don't work well enough. Hard to build a strong edifice out of so many defective components.
Much of the empowerment come from fear: once the fear/anxiety bubble reaches critical mass people calculate they had best go along with a monster or suffer consequences, and so the people start falling like dominoes. I am thinking there is a smaller core of people who really do like empowering authoritarians to the point where the monster may get to critical mass.
A strong 4th estate, the "press" is one thing that helps people falling like dominoes, but then we lack that.
None of this is to diss depth psychology or understanding ourselves better. That means taking to heart hard truths about ourselves and others buried under societal BS but revealed by our great writers and nature.
The "something deep" is not so deep. It's the desire for servitude and passivity, to have someone else make all the decisions so someone else can take all the blame when it goes wrong.
I think in the same way, so agreed. But I can't help considering what will follow. Will the national guard defend the prison when Trump supporters will try to free him? Will it kindle a second civil war?
And Bibi? Whe the threat of Biden is ignored, will he stop delivering weapons?
Thousands of Palestians will be killed, Biden will loose a big number of voters and the U.S. will loose all international prestige. Putin will smile.
We should not be worried about jailing Trump. His supporters have not been demonstrating outside the courtroom, their tendency to demonstrate generally has been greatly reduced (thank you January 6 prosecutions), and the likelihood that they would storm some prison in hope to free him is ridiculously small.
Hand wringing over “But of all the problems that would be caused if Trump goes to jail? How would the Secret Service manage to protect him?” nonsense idiotic. If Trump goes to jail, he goes to jail. Period. And do you really think the Secret Service can’t protect somebody inside a secure facility designed to keep people contained and separate?
The Secret Service has been in discussions with local authorities in New York on how to deal with jailing Von ShitzinPantz.
As the hope and prospect of TFG being sent to jail for violating bail terms or gag orders and eventually conviction, the “Secret Service” question usually comes up. I’d agree few if any would volunteer, except maybe some of the deeply devoted MAGA agents.
But the question should be are they needed at all? Former presidents get Secret Service protection for life, first spouse also gets at least one agent for life even after the death of the president, adult children only get one year of protection after the end of a presidential term. The presumption is the former president’s life is sacred and the president has knowledge of things best kept secret if he/she were to be abducted for ransom. Ditto for first spouse if abducted and used for leverage. Realistically, TFG is not going to be abducted away from a well guarded prison; although the possibility of an inside job with participating sympathetic prison guards could exist. I’d also probably wouldn’t be too far out on a limb to speculate a good chunk of Americans may not view his particular life as sacred.
If there’s a concern, put TFG in solidarity confinement with several adjacent cells empty. Maybe reopen an old wing just for him, similar to England holding Rudolf Hess during WW2 and then in Spandau Prison, Berlin afterwards as the only prisoner. Maybe a cell behind a sound and bulletproof glass wall where he can enjoy fava beans and a nice Chianti. This could be special preferential treatment I could actually get behind, unlike the kid gloves stuff he’s getting now from courts, politicians, and the lame stream media.
My preference would be to send Von ShitzinPantz to Guantanamo Bay. Secure, isolated, very difficult to visit and impossible to protest in front of the gates.
Tom, I have thought about this as well. Right now, I am thinking that his cult followers may try to free him or begin violent protest but I feel President Biden will stop that in its tracks. After the J6 attack, his followers don't seem all fired up to start violence again. If Netanyahu ignores President Biden, he MUST follow through and not deliver another weapon to Israel. Actually, I wish he wouldn't send them any more weapons either way!!
Support your analysis, in my opinion the judge has the backbone to do it and ought to do it sooner rather than later.
As for Biden hi definitely has not got the backbone to do it,as a catholic and a Christian how can he support the slaughter of innocent women/children and also men.Just because you are a man in Palestine doesn’t make you a HAMAS terrorist!
Well said Professor. Both Trump and Netanyahu are slow-marching to jail for criminality. Biden has a more difficult choice: Does he bow to AIPAC and keep murdering Palestinians or appease the massive voting power of millennial and Gen-Z voters as November approaches.
Thank you for saying this. I’ve been trying to give both of them the benefit of the doubt, Judge Merchan & President Biden…but it’s past time for being nice.
Trump wants to be emperor of the United States. Bibi is committing crimes against humanity. The good guys have to take control, before it’s no longer possible.
“…before it’s no longer possible.” Ominous words. True!
1. Give Biden a break. Congress appropriates money. Plus behind the scenes...Biden administration pauses ammunition shipment to Israel https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4645240-biden-administration-pauses-ammunition-shipment-to-israel-report/
2. Hamas refused the deal. The Media gets it wrong every time. To change the terms is to suffer the consequences.
3. Any pressure on Netanyahu is secondary to the internal pressure within Israel -- unreported by Robert. All recent polls show that Ganz has huge support.
4. To get a cease fire, pressure Qatar, which grants asylum to murderers and rapists. Pressure neighboring Arab countries that refuse to give asylum to innocent Gazans. Protest Arab on Arab killing, like hundreds of thousands in Syria and Yemen.
1. Biden evaded US & international law to send munitions to Israel. All aid to Israel must stop now.
2. Hamas accepted the deal, but Israel rejected it.
3. Yes, Bibi and the other hard-liners in Israel have a lot of support, and they continue to inflame it every day (sort of like T in the US) — but Biden could have shut down the genocide seven months ago if he wanted to. He is fully complicity in war crimes and the ultimate crime of genocide. He should be tried for war crimes.
4. To get a real ceasefire, stop sending aid to Israel. The Dems wouldn't have to tell so many lies to preserve an appearance of caring if they would have the courage to do what's right — morally and legally. Stop the arms flow entirely and do it right now.
Israel is a rogue state. The only real solution is to require Israel to end — permanently — its ethnic cleansing, apartheid, brutality & intimidation of Palestinians, flagrant defiance of international law and security council resolutions, and withdrawing completely from all territory occupied outside the original 'green line'.
I am curious Peter, tell us about all the lies Biden is telling. I will give you time to make them up.
No time needed — he has lied about doing everything he can to get Netanyahu to stop the genoocide; that Israel is acting in self-defense; that the ICJ rulings are 'not binding'; that the protests against US-backed Israel's genocide were not peaceful; ..... I could go on and on, but what's the point?
Yet, you have no proof, just spewing more lies and distortions.
Tell it to the people who are getting the hostages back-- dead.
"everything he can" is pretty open ended. I wish Biden would be more forceful, but you're parsing this pretty finely. And I fairly certain he said there was room for peaceful protests and disagreement.
Video of Biden lying and lying and lying
https://youtu.be/IBuPCpfCvs4?si=hv-2fG85nYbwkaXa
Well, he told us just the other day that cannibals ate his uncle. It was on video did you not see it? Everybody else did.
https://youtu.be/IBuPCpfCvs4?si=VrHz9usOQOvx6Y6P
Here is video of Joe Biden lying about everything. What happened to your spreadsheet of trumps lies? I noticed y’all quit keeping that now that your liar is in office.
Why do you only approach the ceasefire from the Biden side ? Obviously Hamas started the conflict by invading and killing 1200 and talking hostage over 300- WHO supports Hamas with guns weapons and the power to control millions of Gazans? Why are we not focusing on that ?
Because MAGA interests want US to blame Biden. and give tRump a 'win'.
And that IS NOT HAPPENING<NO WAY!!!
MAGA doesn’t give a shit what you fucktards think, don’t flatter yourself. The entire planet, except for you losers can tell that you’re all fucking Brainwashed and your head is full of lies because all you talk about all day long it’s just a bunch of lies. Everybody laughs at you and scorns you behind your back. I’m just here doing it in your face.
Wouldn't it be more correct to say that the conflict was started by Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories and its illegal siege/blockade of Gaza? The Palestinians did, of course, have a right to armed resistance is clearly established in international law.
When they tried nonviolent resistance in the 'March of Return' a few years ago, Israel deployed snipers who picked off 200+ Palestinians — including medics.
Anyway, on October 8 or 9, Hamas offered to do a prisoner exchange, but Israel refused.
This is not that simple. A majority of Israelis oppose the settlers and oppose Netanyahu just as most Americans wanted Roe vs Wade and not Dobbs. We wanted the war stopped in Viet Nam and never called the United States a rogue country.
Do you know the exact terms of the exchange? Hamas' demand to release Palestinian prisoners as part of the exchange means Hamas terrorists are back in Gaza continuing to use Palestinians as human shields.
No. 🙂
The most important date is October 6th an prior. Americans no longer comprehend context and the fact is that Hamas doesn't even have a military and it's Netanyahu himself who has been building up
Hamas has Iran and Russia..
Who has been lobbing rockets from Gaza into Israel in all these years?
Who supports Hamas with weapons? Not the United States. We have no leverage over Hamas.
Iran. Duh. Put your finger back in your nose now. And I bet you $1 million they have some of that leftover Afghanistan weaponry that Biden left them on purpose.
Are we going for an Old Testament "eye for an eye" solution? Then Netanyahu should be limited to killing 1200 Palestinians. I think he's already killed over 30,000. So should the Palestinians be entitled to kill another 30,000 minus 1200 Israelis? do you see how ridiculous this way of thinking is?
Actually, God told Israel to kill every single living thing animals women, children, everyone and take no spoils when they moved into the land that God gave them. They didn’t do that and now they still have Hamas fucking with them. That’s the kind of shit that happens when you don’t do what God says. And by the way, “an eye for an eye” is not in the bible. I don’t know if you remember what else is in the Bible, but that whole thing with Sodom & Gomorrah, and Noah and the flood. The people were living like Leftists do now, and God put a stop to it. That is what you should be expecting if you were in your right minds.
"Peter" from Vladivostok?
Your juvenile remarks aren't impressive or thought-provoking.
Peter: your BS is not very helpful either. I don't want tRump for president: period!
Why does it seem that you are working for MAGA? Where has this passion been all this time? Blame Biden; that is your strategy. For things that have, sadly, been going on for decades! tRump will not make it better! For Anyone!
Your lies are not impressive at all Peter who’s paying you? Anyway, Iran?
Stop supporting and enabling Hamas, Iran and terrorists. Israel isn't a rogue state, but they are certainly surrounded by them. Israel is the only legit nation in the area. All the others are Frankenstein nations created out of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire. Snap out of it, put on a pot of coffee, and read the history.
I am very familiar with the history. For decades, Israel has broken/ignored international law and dozens of UN resolutions and has been committing the crimes of ethnic cleansing, apartheid, land theft, and illegal occupation — and now, genocide. All with US complicity.
I hope you noticed that Iran's recent response to Israel's totally illegal attack on its embassy in Syria warned US & Israel in advance and deliberately avoided all civilian targets. Israel, on the other hand, targets civilians, hospitals, universities, churches & mosques, schools, and every 'safe zone' where they told people to go.
So I'm afraid Israel proves every day that it is the 'Frankenstein nation'.
I agree with Peter in many issues that he raised. Mr. Biden could have stop Netanyahu long time ago, instead he keeps facilitating the genocide of Palestinians by providing weapons, economic and political support to the Israeli government regardless the incessant mounting of children, women and the elderly being victimized by the IDF. However, we can't forget the role played by Democrat and Republican representatives and senators who decided that the financial support they receive from AIPAC is more important that Palestinian lives. We must remember that the US wasn't founded, in spite of what is stated on the Constitution, on the ideals of fraternity, civility, honesty or even on equal rights for its citizens. Notwithstanding, we have tried to strike a balance and play a more or less nonpartisan game whenever we have been involved in situation like the current ones.
Mr. Trump and Mr. Netanyahu, as Mr. Reich says, aren't the traditional foes that we fought in the past; these men are extremely dangerous and not concern about anybody but themselves or the damage to the country. Both should be stop immediately if we want to give ourselves an opportunity to re-insert ourselves in the international community. Unfortunately, Democrats and Republicans equally aren't preoccupied with our individual or collective future; their mediocre, shortsighted approach and lack of commitment, honesty and sincerity to what the US represent in the world got loss in the bundles of dollars they are making, directly and indirectly and/or pseudo-legal as US government officials.
That you can list this propaganda in one breath tells me you've totally bought into the Islamists claims. UN resolutions? The UN is the most corrupt organization on the face of the earth.
Why the US continues to participate and fund this nest of antisemites is beyond reason. You accuse Israel of violating international law? What about Hamas, Hezbollah, PLO, Iran, Saudi, etc.? Let alone Russia.
Israel has been warning Gazan's to leave, where to go, and phoning buildings and dropping leaflets to try to reduce or eliminate civilian harm. Hamas on the other hand, shoots their onw people if they try to leave. Hamas steals international aid for its "soldiers", and any left-over they sell at inflated prices to their own people. Their leadership openly declares the lives of their citizens are of no concern to them has they attempt genocide against Israeli's. Do you know why? Because they believe anyone who dies fighting the "infidel" in the name of Islam and Jihad goes directly to heaven. Like they say, "we love death more than Israeli's love life".
If this is the people and culture you want to support, that's up to you. The ONLY reason Israel targets hospitals, universities etc. is because Hamas against international law have placed their fighters and equipment there. Making them legitimate targets. BTW, 300km of underground tunnels, airshafts, A/C, meeting rooms, etc.? While their own people suffer? Islam translated means "submit". Like communism, it is a totalitarian system where any objection results in imprisonment or death. If that's what you support, then we know who you are. I hope Israel is able to finally finish the job and eliminate Hamas. Then, they need to look north, and finish Hezbollah. Ultimately, for the freedom of the suffering Iranian people, support their uprising against their theocracy and return their nation to the community of the civilized. Good Day.
Why isn't anyone mentioning the U.S. role as "Jerusalem of the West?" Israel is so entrenched in U.S. culture, from media to entertainment to finance, that we are constrained to protect their interests.
Peter have you read the Hamas Covenant of 1988?
Although I agree with your comments, I think the last sentence was condescending, mean and stifles civil discourse.
Genocide: "the deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group."
Hamas has embedded itself under, around, and within civic infrastructure.
"Since its creation in December 1987, Hamas has invoked militant interpretations of Islam to spearhead a Sunni extremist movement committed to destroying Israel." https://www.wilsoncenter.org/article/doctrine-hamas
It's not a "genocide" to defend yourself against terrorists whose mission is to erase you and your country-- indeed, whose mission is your own genocide.
Slaughtering civilians in Gaza is not 'self defense'.
Hamas has done nothing that meets the definition of genocide.
The Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide which defines the term as any effort to “destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group” by causing “serious bodily or mental harm” to group members, imposing “conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.” Israel's attack meets all these criteria.
Gaza has been lobbing rockets into Israel for as long as I’ve been alive and that’s a long long time. Unprovoked. Hamas are the Gazans. The Gazans ARE Hamas. They are the brothers and sons and husbands of the women and men who’ve raised them to be that way. Hamas, representing the Palestinians, so-called, have been refusing every offer for any kind of peace whatsoever at every turn 100% of the time for the last 50+ years. Prior to that those people have been fighting each other for the last 5000 years.
On October 7th Hamas deliberately raped, tortured, burned, and mutilated innocent women, men, children and babies. This does not fit genocide? If given more time they would have slaughtered more people. What am I missing??
If it was actually a genocide, Israel would be trying to destroy all Arabs because Palestinians are just Arabs. They are not their own race. And they’re not their own country either. They never have been. The area has been called Palestine but it has never been an actual country.
It's pretty clear to me that Netanyahu and crew don't want a ceasefire or a "deal", they simply want Palestine and its people wiped off the map.
Peter:
1. What specific U.S. & what specific international laws did Biden evade when he sent munitions to Israel?
2. There have been so many deals floated, Which specific—date & time-deal or deals did Hamas accept and Israel reject?
3. How exactly could Biden have shut down Israel’s aggression 7 months ago? Netanyahu has demonstrated repeatedly that he will do what he wants to do regardless of what President Biden has
said to him. And, by the way, we don’t know everything Biden and Netanyahu have said to each other since 10/23.
Unlike Ukraine, Israel has stockpiles of arms such that U.S. withholding of arms shipments over the last 6 months wouldn’t have affected Israel’s aggression.
4. While I personally agree there must be a cease fire
and the return of every Israeli hostage, alive or dead asap, there’s more to the U.S. support for Israel than most people realize:
“Steadfast support for Israel’s security has been a cornerstone of American foreign policy for every U.S. Admin.since the 1948–1953 presidency of Harry S.Truman.” (state.gov) These are longstanding formal agreements that would be upheld separate and apart from any agreements the U.S. has made as a result of 10/23.
It’s important to realize Palestinian militants, &/or Hamas have engaged in aggression against Israel for 23 years, since 2001, in addition to the 10/7/23 attack. (Hence the reference that Israel is acting in self-defense) Palestinian militants have launched tens of thousands of rocket and mortar attacks on Israel from the Gaza Strip as part of the continuing Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The attacks, widely condemned for targeting civilians, have been described as terrorism by the United Nations, the European Union, and Israeli officials, and are defined as war crimes by human rights groups Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.
Congress has oversight over American weapons sales to allies. That means the decision to send
arms isn’t President Biden’s decision alone,
although many criticisms pretend that it is.
I’ll try to respond to everything you raised, but I’ve probably missed some things…
1. US law prohibits supplying arms to any country with a record of human rights violations and the Leahy law has similar provisions with respect to individual military units or commands. Biden has ignored both. I don't know all the specifics of international law, but the genocide convention calls for all signatories to do everything possible to prevent /stop even the risk of genocide, and the ICJ found a plausible case that Israel is engaging in genocide and issued 'provisional measures' [similar to an injunction] requiring immediate and unrestricted humanitarian aid, including water, fuel, electricity, shelter, medical care and supplies; it also ordered Israel to make sure its armed forces did not commit any acts that would violate the rights of Palestinians. These orders are binding on Israel and all signatories [including Israel and the US], but Biden said they are not binding and has continued to supply military aid to Israel even as they ignore the ICJ and continue with actual genocide.
2. I think Hamas rejected proposals after the November ceasefire until the current one. The ones in between all committed only to a pause in the fighting, but not a lasting ceasefire.
3. Biden could have stopped the genocide with phone call to Netanyahu, because Israel could not continue without massive military supplies from the US; in addition, the US vetoed multiple security council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire. Some of the stockpiles you mention are US stockpiles, but Israel apparently can access them at will. Even so, they are using thousands of bombs, missiles, and rounds of ammunition every day. In the Fall, a high-ranking member of the Israeli Occupation Force said publicly they could only continue on their own for a few days.
4. As far as I know, none of the mutual aid commitments say anything about helping Israel wage an offensive war against a civilian population. And none of them commit the US to violate international law or abet the crime of genocide .
Self defense? — There’s no way slaughtering a civilian population or destroying hospitals, schools, universities, churches & mosques, and aid distribution facilities can be considered ‘self defense’. Under international law, Israel has a right to protect its citizens but has no right to attack the population in occupied territory. (Although the occupied population does have a specific right to resist the occupation, even using armed resistance.)
It didn’t start on October 7 — Israel kills Palestinians in the West Bank every day, and has done so for many years. They had already killed over 200 unarmed Palestinians in 2023 BEFORE Oct. 7. Israel has mounted attacks on Gaza every few years, a practice that Netanyahu called ‘mowing the lawn’. Israel’s occupation of the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza is illegal under international law
Terrorism? — The US and the EU are partners in crime with Israel and continue to support the genocide despite the ICJ ruling. The US even labeled the Yemeni people as terrorists, despite the fact that Yemen is the only country that is actually doing all it can to stop the genocide.
Apartheid — UN agencies, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem have all condemned Israel for apartheid laws and practices and for blatant discrimination against Palestinians. In the West Bank, Palestinians are often arrested and held without charge, sometimes for years. The UN and other organization have substantial evidence of torture, sexual assault, and other abuses in Israel detention.
Weapons shipments — Congress does have nominal control over arms exports, but Biden evaded Congressional review for some shipments. And our current Congress seems more concerned with politics than following the law. Or the Constitution. Or international law.
Now, of course, Congress has specifically authorized a new military aid package, which means that those who voted for it could, technically, also be charged with complicity in war crimes and/or genocide.
- - -
Peter is all outraged about Hamas in Palestine but he doesn’t give a shit about the Uighurs over in China. Or those people over in Africa digging diamonds.
Hamas is a terror organization which has never been trustworthy. They violated a cease fire and slaughtered and raped 1200.
I just want everyone to remember how we got here. Of course Israel should end this war. But, the hostages must be released and Hamas can no longer rule Gaza. They lost their place at the table.
As with many other claims about Oct. 7, the claim that Hamas violated a cease fire, slaughtered and raped 1200 people have been shown to be false, and even the IOF has admitted that they killed many of the people in Kibbutz Be'eri, near the rave, and at the Eretz crossing military base, in accord with their 'Hannibal Directive'.
Then please explain to us all what happened on Oct 7. Really, I waiting for your explanation.
Thank you for some sanity, these Biden liberals and Robert Reich have lost all sense of morality and are turning against students, college professors, us or anyone who seems to stand in the way of Biden idolatry. A moral and spiritual sickness.
Peter: I wonder: genocide or the Law of Compensation in action.
The only attempt at genocide has been conducted by Hamas and the Iranian theocracy.
Saying it doesn't make it true — wake up to the facts.
For decades, Israel has broken/ignored international law and dozens of UN resolutions and has been committing the crimes of ethnic cleansing, apartheid, land theft, and illegal occupation — and now, genocide. All with US complicity.
Israel recently made a totally illegal attack on its embassy in Syria. Before responding, Iran warned US & Israel in advance and deliberately avoided civilian targets. Israel, on the other hand, intentionally targets civilians, hospitals, universities, churches & mosques, schools, and every 'safe zones' where they told people to go — even people trying to get food aid. And they have prevented almost all humanitarian aid from entering Gaza — another war crime.
Hamas has never even attempted genocide.
Personally, I think you’re a paid seditionist from another country, Iran maybe, and I think you should be investigated. In fact, I think this whole thread is just to attract fucking losers who love their brainwaahing and want a constant IV drip of lies and sedition going onto their skulls.
Neither of you cretins are right. Qatar funds the very universities that the death to america non student NON AMERICAN insurrectionists are shitting on right now and you spent floor-sperms are condescendingly trying to act like intellectuals discussing shit you know NOTHING ABOUT OVERSEAS. WHILE YOUR DEPENDS-SHITTING PRESIDENT WAFFLES, THROWS OUR MONEY AT BOTH SIDES AND TELLS YOU THAT CANNIBALS ATE HIS UNCLE, “FOR REAL”, “NOT JOKING” You people make the rest of us want to wretch. Good luck when the country falls all tje way down, because you fucking assholes took it down. You’re gonna need it.
Delusional much?
(BTW I know of no current protests other than those demanding that they disclose their investments, sever ties with corporations involved in the arms trade and/or involved with the zionist project, severing institutional ties with Israeli institutions, and for the US to stop abetting genocide. One or two have united with similar divestment in fossil fuels.)
Well, then, you’re a fucking idiot Peter because every fucking day there’s news on television about the protests on all the college campuses. So you can sit there and gaslight everybody all fucking night if you want you fucking Iranian-paid piece of shit but you’re fucking wrong and you’re fucking spreading misinformation and Propaganda on here. Why don’t you go fuck yourself asshole
Every news Outlet including BBC said Hamas accepted the ceasefire agreement and Israel is refusing it. Plus Israelis have wanted Netanyahu gone ever since he got elected. Just like the US wanted Trump gone as soon as he got elected
Only an agreement if parties agree to teems. Qatar and Egypt aren't parties The news outlets misrepresent what happened. Not an an "agreement." Merely an unilateral "offer".
The parties could, if they were rational, agree in principle to avoid bloodshed, and work out the details later. .
I'm just saying what I read is Qatar and Egypt mediated an agreement that Hamas agreed to and Israel didn't. That's what I read
NO "agreement."
Because Hamas has lied every single time they’ve ever made a deal and that’s why. So nobody should trust Hamas anymore because they’re liars, like Peter.
Hamas did not refuse the deal. They accepted it. Then Netanyahu said it wasn’t the deal HE wanted and the attacks would continue.
Netanyahu is pushing this war for two reasons. His butt is in the same sling Trumps is, and if the war ends he will again be facing Israeli courts. He believes he will be considered a hero if he continues the war and devastates the Palestinians so much that there are none left to continue to fight.
But that’s a fools hope because he is universally despised by the voting public and the ONLY reason he is still in office is because he has convinced the Israeli people that changing leaders would be catastrophic.
Like Trump, Netanyahu has repeatedly moved the goal posts for a ceasefire. Not Hamas.
And you will probably have noticed that there are still hostages……no previous Israeli government would have ignored those hostages while going to war. Every last one of them except Netanyahu’s government would have gone balls to the walls, hair on fire, to get all those hostages back, before they did ANYTHING else. Not Netanyahu, and the reason was clear when one of his Defence Ministers stated IN PUBLIC, that since they were all Kibbutzim, and leftists, they weren’t particularly important to the government except as symbols!
I get such a laugh out of those who defend Israel completely, who have never been to Israel, never lived there, have NO idea how day to day life is and just how very poorly everyone who isn’t male, Israeli, and preferably Orthodox, is treated by the peoples of Israel. This is NOT the peace seeking country of the movie “Exodus”, and hasn’t come even close for more than 30 years. It has been and is a hard right wing country who sees “others” as enemies not people and treats them the same way the American Right wing treats those who disagree with them.
Yes, Alexis. You have nailed it IMO. Thank you (and if it matters, I'm Jewish).
Well said. I don’t condone the killing but negotiating with Hamas is not going to get it done. They have proven they are incapable of living up to their responsibility.
Serious question: So what’s the solution? Massacre all Palestinians because Hamas may be hiding among them?
I have just glanced thru all of this. I’ve questioned all along whether Biden has the authority to stop military aid to Israel since it is appropriated by Congress. What money or military supply is given to Israel needs to have conditions on it at least.
1. From a Reuters story today: << Hamas said in a brief statement that its chief, Ismail Haniyeh, had informed Qatari and Egyptian mediators that the group accepted their proposal for a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said later that the truce proposal fell short of Israel's demands but Israel would send a delegation to meet with negotiators to try to reach an agreement.
Qatar's foreign ministry said its delegation will head to Cairo on Tuesday to resume indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas.>>
2. So, apparently, everybody gets to say their side did A-B-C and the other side id X-Y-Z, and the rest of us get to scratch our heads and wonder what the f—- is going on.
3. And so it goes, while the people die.
Reuters does.t understand. or doesn't want to understand that the parties are Israel and Hamas. Simple contract. Offer and acceptance. That document was not negotiated with Israel.
Knesset has voted for deals several times now, but Hamas won't agree to the terms. Won't negotiate. 99% of the time, comes down to "ladders." Israel goes down a rung. Hamas goes up.
If they want a deal can agree tin principle, work out the details later. In my experience, after all this time, so many dead, Hamas doesn't want a deal.
I read Biden had refused to send a shipment of some offensive ammunition. Somewhere. Not very much detail. I forget where.
Obviously not a lot the media had to say about it.
And apparently not enough.
Yes indeed the rethug Congress and probably the entire drumpf faction, including those chanting "Jews will not replace us" are rabidly supporting Netanyahu.
Lemmings over a cliff.
A fairly recent poll by an Israeli polling organization shows that Netanyahu has 15% support among Israelis. That means that 85% of Israelis do not support Netanyahu. Viva Schumer's call for new elections! The Israeli parliament has the power to call for new elections any time. I hope Biden is pressuring the Knesset to schedule a new election.
I do not understand how you conclude that HAMAS rejected the Israeli proposal because they proposed an alternative. The very essence of negotiating is presenting a proposal, the other side presents its proposal. Both sides then work toward an agreement both sides can live with. It demands compromise on both sides. Our way or the highway is rigid and demands that one side surrender.
@ Charles. Not true. Can agree in principle, work out terms later.
I wouldn't mediate unless both sides agree that they want a deal. They don't have to be in the same location. Mediators can go from party to party in "caucus."
I agree with Daniel. It is my understanding that Hamas refused a settlement that mediators and the U S thought reasonable. Hamas walked away. But that is less significant than continuing bombing in Gaza and delay of medical and starvation relief. The moral tide has turned And Netanyahu needs to stop.
Hamas did not refuse the deal. Israel refused the deal because they want to continue massacring civilians with our weapons. One shipment out of hundreds was stopped. That's the headline you cherry pick? Who precisely are you working for? Boeing? Raytheon? AIPAC?
Putin's version.
Point #2: Hamas wants withdrawal of all Israeli military. Israel wants to gain and retain basically total sovereignty over Gaza. Hamas won't buy that. Neither would I. And what happens when Israel annihilates some Hamas and huge numbers of innocents and wins? Israel will have no more reason to treat Arabs within Israel with any dignity (not that they did before) and fairness. Israel also will no longer have any problems with other surrounding countries (YEAH, RIGHT). We call many things atrocities, but what Hamas did on October 7 was beyond atrocity. What Israel has done since is beyond atrocity. It seems clear that, in some way, Israel was waiting for an October 7 to do what it's wanted to do all along. AND, lest we forget, Israel endorsed the forerunner of Hamas to get rid of the PLO. Do we think the problem will end with Hamas?
Your collective racial subconscious has overwhelmed your id.
I'm Jewish (Foster, nee Goldman) and have, albeit distant, family in Israel. What racial subconscious has overwhelmed me?
(OK, that's all a lie, although my first husband was Goldman and my sister's husband is Jewish as well. My children and her children went to Hebrew school and were bat and bar mitzvah. THAT's true. Also true: I was in Israel in 1969 and fell in love with it and its people. Or are you saying my racial subconscious is against all Arabs? Now I'm confused.)
That's science fiction based on blood libel.
Proof?
Daniel, I read that Hamas agreed to a ceasefire but Netanyahu was going ahead anyway because the terms weren’t good enough.
Does he move the goalposts in your opinion?
Thanks for the info and link for your 1st point. I wish you had links to points two and three.
I agree with you Daniel! So few people get it. Thank you for your clarity. As much as I dislike Bibi, his going into Rafa is producing positive results for Israel and the hostages.
First Cease fire, then seduce Russian troops to defect... Get to these barely draft age draftees like you didn't get to Trump paying his supporters to get violent in 2015. In 2015 Trump first offered to pay legal fees for supporters who attacked protesters. When you gaslit my plan to organize 3 actors ( playing a MAGA, a protester stunt man, and an EMT ambulance driver) to sue Trump... YOU GAVE A GREEN LIGHT TO TRUMP AND BIBI AND PUTIN AND XI.
This isn't about the United States. This is about the world. There's maggots everywhere and both Trump and Netanyahu need a spanking along with Putin and others. You do know this is a worldwide situation and they just need the United States to finish the job. The US has all the money and all the weapons. They can't get rid of 80% of the population without the US
Without a doubt, the killing and destruction on both sides must stop. it is useless to quibble over supply and demand of military weaponry. What the UN, the ICC and governments around the globe must be made to enforce is the idea that to behave like one's enemy is the short path to self-destruction of both combatants. Otherwise, our world will never survive to know the true implementation of peace. Furthermore these international bodies must encourage the innocent citizens of these warring countries to rise up against their authoritarian leaders, prosecute them for their crimes and remove them from power in any manner necessary. while I understand that January sixth was a twisted and vile attempt to do just that, I believe that with encouragement and support by international legal entities this "rebellion" can be structured to accomplish what is necessary.
We don't know what we don't know.
Absolutely!!!
Neither one of these people acts alone. In the case of Mr. Trump, he has many Republicans who are helping him. In the case of Prime Minister Netanyahu, his right-wing coalition government is the result of years of bombings etc. from their neighbors.
Register Democrats, save the world.
https://www.fieldteam6.org/volunteer-ops
and the "good guys" are the ones giving 50 billion to a genocidal radical right regime, supporting their genocide to the hilt, enabling police brutality, dismantling free speech, endangering our students and smearing them, funding forever wars and sacrificing Europe on the altar of "freedom and democracy"
yeah buddy... sure. I'm so glad that fascism came back under the good guys, cause otherwise it would feel way worse
Tell me where you got the idea that Trump wants to be “emperor of the United States”. Did you just pull that out of your ass? Or did some other Leftist pull it out of his ass and hand it to you and you just love holding his shit?
YOU lying assholes are the ones said Trump wanted to be emperor of the United States and then you fucking proclaimed It as truth. That’s a pattern of speech that you god-forsaken dirtbags have been using forever and guess what, we reject you and your ubiquitous lies. And I don’t want one single one of you fucking cretins to tell me that Trump said on TV that he was going to be a dictator only one day. You fucking assholes don’t even recognize when you’re being mocked. HE WAS MOCKING YOU FUCKTARDS AND YOU THINK ITS REAL. That’s how fucking retarded you fucking Leftist piece of fucking shit are.
What a sweetie you are. Makes me so very proud to be a Democrat.
Well said! I admire everyone's patience here and thank goodness there's a report button. ;)
Tell me, Beverly, sweetie, which one of these things do you love the most about the Democrat platform:
1: chopping live infants into smaller chunks and sucking them from their mother’s wombs so Planned Parenthood can sell the parts?
2: Transing of minors to include removing their genitals and pumping them full of hormones?
3: Pedo Men dressed as women reading to your toddlers at the library?
4: Having a depends-sharting wax corpse being led around by his caretaker and POA telling everyone cannibals ate his Uncle as your leader?
5: Incentivizing fighting aged males from countries that hate us pour across the border and then having the biden, and Admin fly them to deep recesses of the country, and dropping them off in your city on your tax dollar?
6: Clapping like a seal as your president jails his political enemies?
7: Allowing men in woman-face compete and win in sports and then having them shower with your daughter in the girls locker room, stealing her chances at getting scholarship?
I could do this all night, but which of those things makes you the proudest Beverly? Which one of those things just make sure eyes glow with pride?
Are you really proud of what the Democrat party stands for? Because I personally think it’s a demented platform and God‘s gonna have you all on your knees before it’s over with, and you won’t be proud of supporting what the Democrat party supports after you have your meeting.
It's all just words Robert. Talk and more talk. No one is standing up in front of Congress or holding press conferences live and in person to lead us in a movement that has effects. We are all getting a little tired of watching, listening talking, and reading without any action. I admire so much the students who are working so hard to have an actual impact. I believe they are having some positive effects but until seasoned veteran demonstrators like yourself get out there in the streets and start leading, nothing will change. Sorry to harp on our frustrations but we have very little momentum to build on to begin with. We are being pushed away from the dock with no wind or fuel.
Merchan should’ve jailed Trump long ago. His violations of the gag order began immediately after the gag orders issued. Were Trump any other “regular“ defendant he would’ve been sanctioned and jailed long ago. In his comments, Merchan even said in determining penalties he is taking into consideration the fact that Trump was once President.
So much for equal justice under the law.
But Trump can't lose. If he continues to defy the gag order he asserts his power by disobeying the law, and getting away with it. If he gets jailed, then he'll scream about being a victim and that the process is rigged, and the 'System' is trying to silence him, and that the 'truth' cannot be silenced. His followers will eat that stuff up, and probably donate more to 'save' him. He needs to choke on a Big Mac, preferably while on the John so that no one notices until it's too late.
If Trump decides to shift from the Messiah role to the martyr role, go for it. He’ll eventually wind up marginalized like the failed leaders before him. I learned this from Robert Reich’s leadership lectures. So yes, throw the bastard in jail for contempt of court.
Certainly a night in the pokey for Trump won't make him a Martyr and it will give our ears and eyes a needed rest.
Check out the bail terms in DC, GA, SDFL. It's possible all bail can be revoked and Trump will be a wishbone between GA and DC jurisdictions.
This is looking good. Screw up on the gag and he goes to jail and then possibly stays there. I wonder if he would switch gears and then request for the trials to not be delayed. Stop attacking the witness, jurors etc and they get a respit and once the trial is done a good chance he gets a jail sentence albeit a relatively short one. He is painting himself into a corner. I am sure he will blame everyone but himself for it.
Love that idea!
Drumpf’s recent calls to his followers to turnout i mass protest to his “mistreatment” has resulted in zero. I predict that zero will continue to happen if he’s put in jail.
The white supremists like his rhetoric but feel burnt by Jan 6th. Are there people who want to overthrow the government, yes, they are all still there. Will they risk their ass a second time for "vonshitz"? The lack of protests here in NY have answered that question.
Yes, looks like there’s unnecessary hand wringing and worry among liberals regarding potential feedback from street fighters when Drumpf goes to jail.
"supremacist" -- you're welcome.
Amen!!!
Treat him like the two yr old he's behaving as, time out in jail kicking and screaming if necessary and remain there until he maintains compliance.. As long as it takes..It's worked for the magats that have been jailed. He's never been restrained in his life before NOWS THE TIME!!!
“djt” hasn’t been a faux messiah for eons, he whines to much to fit that role. Role of Imitation “martyr” like margarine is to butter, for those ok with crappy substitutes, maybe. Judge Merchan’s rather smart, doing a “set-up,” by tracking the crybaby defendant, who can’t keep his mouth shut. By tallying fines until they add up to impressive Total
#s$$$$$$!
Whollop the whiner in the pocketbook 1st, each time blabber mouth Had been duly Warned, so No excuses. Recall, wise Judge that he is, also referred to the alternative penalty option, each time: Jail Time, that was a penalty for contempt, If monetary fines continued if the defendant chose to keep defying court orders. How very like an excellent puppy trainer, keeping things simple, and repetitious for an obviously untrained puppy, er,….
Trump is no bastard. He is an ass hole. I think that seeing him getting arrested and led to jail might be a sobering event for at least some of his supporters. So much for the fake macho!
Thank you for that correction. Had my anger knob turned down.
My fondest hope is that the 130,000+ berders Bunkerboy DEVOURS each WEEK will finally explode his a-body before the election.
PLEASE, LORD!!! Us pitiful 'Muricans are too weak!!!
Merchan needs to stop coddling the POS DJT. ''Merchan said in determining penalties he is taking into consideration the fact that TUMP was once President.'' So what??? Why does being president give a serial criminal special privileges?? Anyone else would have been jailed for the first violation. There seems to be no equal justice under the law when it comes to the Mango Mussolini. I don't know yet where i will go, but if he somehow wins in November, i am leaving the United States, or die trying.
Leaving the US. Well, I don’t know if my mental health can withstand what his being in office again would bring. Too many of the people I love aren’t paying attention or think it won’t be that bad. I’m 77. I do love Ireland and Wales.
I also love Ireland but good luck getting residency there if that huge piece of s___t is elected. They are having major immigration issues there also.
I’m in Canada and a Trump win will affect us all. I am too close for comfort here because I wouldn’t put any thing past a dictatorship like a land grab of his next door neighbors
You're likely in much better physical and mental health than Trump. And both places are lovely this time of year. Plus I hear the UK is changing political parties with Ireland not that far behind.
I have spoken fondly of Scotland!
Costa Rica is lovely.
Actually, Merchan said that Trump used to be President, and might be again, but isn't now. "And I have a job to do." I.e. put DJT in jail for contempt if he has to.
Trump is running scared. Why else would he lower himself to entering "Vonshitsinpants" into the public record? The last thing he wants to do is show incontinent weakness. Thats advertising his weakness. A desperate strategy that will fail.
Thank you for your reply, Bill. I hope by all means his desperation ends in utter failure. I want to see him go down!!! The damage he has already done to our nation is off the charts!
I'm sure you wouldn't be alone.
As much as I detest Trump Im thinking Judge Merchan has handled
Trump and the trial very well. He has given Trump the two strikes on the third he will ne nailed and no one can call
That unfair. He was (strangely stilll!!) President after all. Now if T hoes to jail it will be very clear he did it to himself by acting like a toddler.
I think he Doesn’t want the trial to be disrupted. If it’s disrupted trump would contest and eventually it would go to the Supreme Court and we know how that would go…delay delay delay - what trump wants. One thing the judge could do is order him to jail but not until the trial is over. Then every time trump violates the gag order add another day to his upcoming jail term and another $1000 fine.
I thought I read that the secret service was already planning for a potential jail sentence. Merchan needs to do it, and no special treatment in jail, no phone, no photo ops. SS can surround the jerk.
The problem, as I understand it, is that the trial is put on hold as long as Trump is in jail. They should Zoom it so Trump can still be present virtually and trial can go on. Haven't heard anyone suggest that.
I don't see how this can be true. It would mean any defendant would have the power to delay their trial indefinitely. But then, the law seems to have a logic of its own which I don't understand.
Or the Loud Boys!
I don’t see why the trial can’t continue with him in jail. He’s not going to testify anyway. Just do it like you would for any other criminal.
Catherine:
Yes, most toddlers I know would benefit from a night at Rikers Island.
Or worse yet, send him to bed without his supper.
I have signed numerous petitions stating no one is above the law, not even a former president. If anything, Judge Merchan should have jailed him the first time he violated the gag order just like he would have done to any other citizen in this country. The key word is "FORMER" which means now he is an ordinary citizen like the rest of us!
This is the strictest any Judge has been with Trump and he is scared. Since the first gag violation hearing in this trial (between that and the 2nd hearing) Trump has completely clammed up. When he tried to self create that his lawyer said the gag order prevented him from testifying and thus leave room for an appeal Judge Merchan immediately corrected him. The dude really does not want to go to jail.
Absolutely. Far from being the poor victim he portrays himself as, Trump has been given incredibly preferential treatment. Is everyone scared of this disgraceful excuse for a human being?
I'm not . . . but apparently those who are afraid of losing their powerful posts and appointments are! Trump has the whole world acting crazy with hatred and violence against each other. IT IS ASTOUNDING TO ME THAT NO ONE HAS TAKEN HIM OUT . . . LONG AGO. But with people like Putin and Netanyahu, and the REPUBLICAN'TS and the "Project 2025-ers" needing such a useful idiot FRONT MAN to lean on and carry out their nefarious, criminal, Democracy-destroying activities behind, it looks like my fondest wish is not going to be fulfilled any time soon! Alas! What this world needs is one less Donald Trump! But the world sickeningly and sadly let Hitler spread hatred and derision across the globe, and now history is repeating itself. Do we never learn? Lord, do we never learn?
The fact that Judge Merchan said that, suggests that being a former President gives some kind of immunity, or makes it improper to jail him, even for a short time. But tRUMP would then just become the "political prisoner" or the "hostage."
And trump isn't going to jail with a orange jumpsuit and bars, he will be put in a room and order big mac's. Give me a break!
“The last thing I want to do is put you in jail. You are the former president of the United States and possibly the next president as well,” Judge Juan Merchan told Trump today. [now yesterday]
That’s the last thing Merchan should have said. He’s basically telling Trump that he can do and say whatever he wants and that he’ll get away with it. Trump, Merchan and everyone else knows if anyone else was sitting in the defendant’s chair, that person would have been jailed for contempt long ago.
Yes, the judge’s written order does say future violations could result in jailing, but realistically will it? Trump is begging to be jailed. To be the martyr. To fund raise off of it.
Merchan doesn’t want to jail Trump because of the possibility of an appeal and delay. In his Jurist’s heart, he’d loved to. For Merchan, this has become an exercise in the ultimate professional self restraint against a man that has none.
The true test will be when Cohen is on the stand. Can Trump keep himself from exploding in the courtroom? I for one, hope not. Jail him on the spot. In front of the jury. Better be it Trump himself that prejudices the jury.
"That’s the last thing Merchan should have said."
Very much agree. He just declared there are two justice systems and that he's giving Trump getting special treatment.
Given a prime opportunity to show everyone is subject to the law, Merchan outright declared that's not the case in his courtroom.
It was the part about him being "possibly the next president as well"! THAT was shocking! He shouldn't be offering any encouragement at all in that regard to Trump! As for the Secret Service, in my opinion they should not even be considered. Give them a much needed break, for heaven's sake! Trump should not have been assigned Secret Service protection in the first place! He is an insurrectionist, a traitor, a treasonous criminal acting against the interests of the United States government! Since when do the lowest of the low get S.S. protection?? And that $200,000 presidents receive every year for the rest of their lives?? Huh? Trump should not be receiving one penny, else it appears our government is PAYING HIM to continue acting criminally against this nation! Merchan should put up or shut up. Either FINE TRUMP HUGELY AND STOP TALKING ABOUT JAIL, OR JAIL HIM AND GO ON WITH THE CASE OVER CLOSED-CIRCUIT TV! I like Judge Merchan and his heretofore righteous handling of Trump, but with Scott McAfee in the GA case not dealing quickly and forthrightly to remove Fani Willis and IMMEDIATELY appoint a new prosecutorial team so they could move on quickly with that; and Aileen Cannon in FL skulking her way thru the documents case to give Trump every advantage in his stall tactics (making her an accomplice, aider and abettor to espionage and violations of National Security); and now the THUGS ALITO, GORSUCH AND THOMAS (and possibly Roberts as well?) on the "Supreme" Court, intentionally snail-walking their unnecessary "decision" in the immunity question (14th Amendment, Section 3, guys, is all you need to know!!!), I am losing all faith in any "justice" remaining in this country! There are several petitions out there to get Cannon removed from the FL documents case (MoveOn.org, Change.org, and the Daily Kos), just waiting for all of you to sign them and share with others. SCOTUS needs to be inundated with letters from all of us, regarding their seeming collusion with Trump, AND TO BE TOLD THAT WE THE PEOPLE CAN MOVE TO END THEIR TERMS AND REMOVE THEM, NO MATTER HOW POWERFUL THEY THINK THEY ARE. Write one letter and make 8 copies, making sure to use the Cc: feature at the end of your letter so that the ROGUE conservative (authoritarian) males on the court know that every other justice has read it as well.
There is a lot of action we can all take. We just have to make a concerted effort to do it!
Christopher F., And his current statement indicating that Trump has now disregarded him for 11 times so now he really has to consider jail if he does it again. Any parent would have to admit that their child was winning.
Yes, I wish things moved quicker & that TFP had already been sanctioned in some way that would make him shut up. However, Judge Merchan is following legal procedures and making sure none of his rulings will lose on appeal. I have developed the utmost respect for him, his fairness, integrity, and his belief in the rule of the law.
Make no mistake, I appreciate his doing all he can to make sure there are no grounds for appeals. But he is at times bending over too far and should treat Trump more like any other defendant would be treated.
Why don’t they create an AD about the fact that Trump LIES so much , it is listed in Wikipedia that he lied over 30,573 times during his presidency?
They grilled Stormy Daniel’s about her credibility. Maybe someone should Google Trump’s lies and state that to color the juror’s minds. He is lying again that it didn’t happen.
Please get this to the prosecutors or to Hakeem Jeffries. We need to remind everyone that Trump LIES!
This case is likely the only case that the public with “hear” before the election. I am getting worried!
And isn’t it ironic that numerous people in his cabinet and those he was linked to were criminally indicted?
Why isn’t anyone talking about how Trump is a notorious LIAR in AD’s and in the courtroom??
AD?
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Thanks. It was the capitalizing that is confusing. It made it look like an acronym rather than a word.
No problem. I should have proof read it!
...indeed were it any one of us we'd be languishing in a jail cell for months.
Tired of the wealthy, privileged, and powerful getting preferred treatment which violates the basis for the 14th amendment.
As to Netanyahu, he will only accept an end to the hostilities if it is strictly on his terms, just like a certain other authoritarian ruler who's been in the news for the last couple years.
The point is Trump isn’t an ordinary defendant. There isn’t equal justice under the law.
Yeah. That's what I said.
He *should* be treated like an ordinary defendant (as everybody should). But he hasn't been.
Trump wants to be compared to MLK and Mandela who’s work from jail raised their stature. Hitler too gained from being jailed.
How about house arrest for Trump? Is there any other recourse but playing into his hands?
Community service can be another recourse. Maybe Trump needs to pick up garbage on the street?
Jean,, you are a genius!
Can you just imagine Trump the germaphobe trying to pick up cigarette butts and other disgusting tidbits from the park opposite the courthouse?
Thank you Victor, but in reality I can only begin to imagine the horror and pain of those who have suffered. I am not forced to endure it; they are. If only we could stay focused on what is humane, like ending genocide, whenever, wherever it occurs.
Victor Kamendrowsky , my comment above was in reference to one I made earlier on this site that we all mistakenly take sides while people continue to die. It matters not to them.
Valid point, DK, but trying to intimidate and disparage jurors and witnesses is cowardly and illegal. We must enforce the law. MLK and Mandela defended universal values of justice. Trump has followed the Hitler playbook of denial and scapegoating, and he must be dealt accordingly.
Judge Merchan has followed procedures & law, so I expect some form/amount of detainment or confinement with the next violation, even if an hour in the cell behind the courtroom.
I agree wholeheartedly Professor. It's long past time to stop coddling both of these men. I don't think we should've sent the last round of Bombs to Bibi but defintely no more!! Not until there's a cease fire and Major aid gets through to the people of Gaza.
As far as Trump goes that is such a difficult decision for Judge Merchan. I wouldn't want to be in his shoes for anything. By all accounts we all know Trump should've been in Jail a long time ago but it's so difficult to predict what his insane followers will do. But it's definitely way past time now. I'm praying he makes the right decision. What a clusterf@#k everything is. Going to be a long, arduous summer I'm afraid. God help us all. 🙏🏻🙌
The important thing to read is the correlation between these similar monsters . They both succeed by breeding fear and building separation walls . Authoritarianism grows on fear . Both of these men know how to feed it !
Oh for sure Lauren!! I agree 100%!! I've known for some time Bibi is a mini-Trump. And no words are needed re: Trump. I've been waiting for 9 long years for him to go away along with everyone else. He's like a bad virus. We just can't seem to get rid of him. Hopefully in November we can!!!
I compare Netanyahu with Putin, far more dangerous; and Trump as a Putin wannabe.
But Putin doesn't whine and play the victim. Either does Netanyahu. Trump doesn't know how to be the strongman he pretends to be.
Trump is a failed artist, like Nero.
Hopefully, Trump won’t stay around as long as Net has
I’d suggest Trump is a mini-Bibi.
Yes!!! 😂😂😂
Like Putin--- if you don't let me conquer Ukraine in my most excellent military adventure I'll nuke y'all. Repeat now and then.
I know what you mean, Lisa, but trump is not president right now. If his cult wants to start violence, President Biden will put a stop to it - plain and simple. I, for one, am not afraid of those idiots. If they start something, they can join trump in jail. Enough is enough!!
You're right. It's bad enough worrying about November. No need to borrow trouble right?! I'm just so sick of all of them!! Sick of my own damn state too. Surrounded by them here except for a small few. Oh I almost forgot. Today is Primary day here in Indiana. I must remember to go Vote too
I, too, am surrounded by MAGA! I still talk and present my views although I am regarded as that crazy Democrat! That's okay, I will wear that moniker proudly! I just would like to see a time when our two parties can treat one another with decency and respect. Name calling, intimidation, threats, and lies should not ever become the norm in our society!!
Amen Peggy!! Preach. I agree wholeheartedly. It used to be that way. Someone mentioned to me "If they can keep us divided they can control us." I don't know if that's true or not but this is one time in History as many of us as possible need to come together despite our différences and work to defeat the scourge of DJT and Trumpism once and for all in November!!!
I will be voking for democracy!
Yes! Yes! Yes! Vote Blue, America!!!
I’m a fifth generation Texan and I’m so sick of those that govern here. The people of Texas are good folks for the most part and many are unhappy with the leadership.
Hoosier here too! I voted yesterday.
Hi fellow Hoosier!! 💙🇺🇸
North Carolina is the same with gerrymandering that we have been subjected to. My vote doesn't count anymore but I will continue to vote!
You tell 'em, Peggy!
why hard? Treat him like any other. Is it really the judge's job to try and figure out the imponderable "what will his followers do" ? That would mean his followers determine what happens in the courtroom. That is not a good thing.
Indeed
Lisa, I wish we would learn from history, VP Agnew was a crook, but made a deal to have no personal consequences if he left office, Then President Nixon got a pardon because he resigned and supposedly posed no further threat to the American people. These men should have been charged and required to accept the consequences of their trials. We now have a former president who has engaged in illegal acts, not only did not resign, but is running again. We did not hold these leaders responsible to answer to the law, which we have certainly done for other governors, mayors, congresspersons, judges etc. Now Trump wants to use this as a precedent to not hold him accountable. We must not keep making this same error, We must hold everyone to the same rule of law or what do our laws mean?
Speaking of a Trump gag order jail stint, check out Lucian Truscott's post today, "What Happens if it Happens?" for an insider's look at what that might look like.
https://luciantruscott.substack.com/p/what-happens-if-it-happens?
Great post by Lucian Truscott. Thanks for sharing!!
I read Lucian Truscott's post and I liked it. It sounds to me like the judge has been extraordinarily lenient with trump. I can only hope, hope, hope he violates the gag order again! He needs to be in jail away from all his bullhorns like phone and media. Spending one quiet night where we wouldn't have to listen to this blow hard would be heaven for me!!
@Peggy he will. Out of control toxic narcissism
Count on it.
“Defendant is hereby put on notice that if appropriate, …punishable by incarceration.”
So what exactly does “if appropriate” mean?
Last night I expressed this in emails to my Rep and Senators and Harris. Sent to Biden before. I noted my kids are half Jewish and the decision was difficult. I am not anti Jewish but anti Netanyahu.
Dale, I have many Jewish friends that absolutely abhor Netanyahu!!! I agree with Lauren that the US needs to make other friends and allies in the Middle Eastern region.
The “stakes” are the same with these two authoritarians. The only difference is micro vs macro. Which is a problem here in America where the only thing both DIMS and GOoPs seem to agree upon, complicitly, is coddling Israel. Another problem is too many Americans can’t or won’t make the connection Isreal is suffering the same mirrored ailments our nation is suffering from. Fighting autocracy. Israel’s biggest struggle has not been with its neighbors, even Palestine. It’s been their fight with the extremist politics and methods of the GOP-Likud. Which, by the way, dissolved into Fascist gel just like our GOP. The sooner Americans can make that connection, our Middle East politics may make the corrections necessary that Jimmy Carter attempted to do years back…because, honestly, no other POTUS has known what the fuck we are doing in that region since Carter!!
I agree that Carter was the last POtus in the know regarding Middle East relations. I feel that the US stance is that Israel is our friend in the region and we fully support our allies . That position ceases to work when our friend acts like a genocidal enemy . Maybe going forward we should attempt to make “friends “ throughout the Middle Eastern region that isn’t at the behest of Israel or oil .
https://darryllamarkwright.substack.com/p/westernized-narcissism-in-middle?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1tzo25lnOgscszDTscQKWNrrx7jdGlJUojR1A1sLovqLOLA8OA9GHelJA_aem_AbEst4Ug4BFjBzslf2-aBeWWHmr-bKetjZq4bKUzteG-SMLF9M_S8FZJUkVgpwOGzIqM7TPxFA-THIck0LibGyrk
It was mentioned how most of the world has forgotten 1948 . Some of the world remembers that when the lines were drawn and people moved in and people were thrown out . What most of the world forgets is that other lines were drawn that causes different conflicts presently throughout the Middle East
Awesome post. You have done quite well D.L.
But are we coddling the authoritarians or their followers? It needs to be clearly communicated that Trump is not a king and America is not a kingdom or he’ll just rally the maga’s with more false hoods and try to increase his power by being jailed
It seem like we have not completely gotten rid of "awe" for kingly things. We have forgotten our American history,
The kings just became the Kardashins and Trump is one of them that decided to run for President and tried to become king
I'm not sure why you're not including Putin in the mix, who has once again raised the specter of using nuclear weapons in the conflict, as well as making direct threats against France, UK & US (to go along with his threats against Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, etc.). Russia has also sent agents to Europe & America to bribe & blackmail politicians to do his bidding as well as sabotage infrastructure in Europe. He's committing terrible atrocities against Ukraine & destroying their energy infrastructure.
Anyway, we mustn't be intimidated by these bullies. Merchan must stand up against Trump & actually jail him next time Trump breaks the rules. Biden must stop all aid to Netanyahu. Zelenskyy, Macron & Sunak are all standing up to Putin.
Well said.
I’m in Georgia now and you feel it . If I see a cartoon in my head it’s sort of the shadow of Putin with a hammer raised over his head above the country .
100% agree, Jaime!!
I wish President Biden as well as Judge Merchan strength and wisdom in making difficult decisions.
And he’s been held in contempt now how many times? 10? Which number will be the charm to haul him into a cell? Get it done already.
I reluctantly have to agree with you about Netanyahu. We set conditions for continuing aid -- a plan for protecting civilians in Rafah. No such plan has been forthcoming. It's time to put our (withholding of) money where our mouth is.
https://www.axios.com/2024/05/05/israel-us-ammunition-shipment-hold
Why do it quietly? The political capital Biden would gain by halting arms to Israel is enormous.
Maybe. Maybe not.
Yes, Biden must stop supplying weapons and money to Netanyahu, immediately! Biden is risking our country by supporting the war. He stands to lose much of the youth vote and others—enough votes that could cost him the election. Not only is withdrawing support the right thing morally, he is risking our country being ruled by an evil dictator.
I do blame the evil group Hamas for starting the war and believe Israel has a right to defend itself, but not as they have. Although, Israel has contributed to the animosity for years.
Instead of students demanding divestment, they should be demanding Biden stop supporting Netanyahu.
https://www.axios.com/2024/05/05/israel-us-ammunition-shipment-hold
Good sign.
Something deep in the human psyche loves to empower malevolent narcissistic authoritarians. Until we figure out how to defuse this mental weakness and claim our own inherent power, we will always be at the mercy of these monsters.
The psyche of some humans. I want nothing to do with these sadonarcissistic authoritarians.
I don't suppose you would countenance genetic reengineering? We have had a loooong time to figure it out. People for millennia have tried to build institutions to constrain these monsters. They don't work well enough. Hard to build a strong edifice out of so many defective components.
Much of the empowerment come from fear: once the fear/anxiety bubble reaches critical mass people calculate they had best go along with a monster or suffer consequences, and so the people start falling like dominoes. I am thinking there is a smaller core of people who really do like empowering authoritarians to the point where the monster may get to critical mass.
A strong 4th estate, the "press" is one thing that helps people falling like dominoes, but then we lack that.
None of this is to diss depth psychology or understanding ourselves better. That means taking to heart hard truths about ourselves and others buried under societal BS but revealed by our great writers and nature.
You’ve hit the nail on the head with empowerment of despots by fear and humanity’s inability to face “hard truths.”
but the madness continues.
The "something deep" is not so deep. It's the desire for servitude and passivity, to have someone else make all the decisions so someone else can take all the blame when it goes wrong.
I think in the same way, so agreed. But I can't help considering what will follow. Will the national guard defend the prison when Trump supporters will try to free him? Will it kindle a second civil war?
And Bibi? Whe the threat of Biden is ignored, will he stop delivering weapons?
Thousands of Palestians will be killed, Biden will loose a big number of voters and the U.S. will loose all international prestige. Putin will smile.
We should not be worried about jailing Trump. His supporters have not been demonstrating outside the courtroom, their tendency to demonstrate generally has been greatly reduced (thank you January 6 prosecutions), and the likelihood that they would storm some prison in hope to free him is ridiculously small.
Hand wringing over “But of all the problems that would be caused if Trump goes to jail? How would the Secret Service manage to protect him?” nonsense idiotic. If Trump goes to jail, he goes to jail. Period. And do you really think the Secret Service can’t protect somebody inside a secure facility designed to keep people contained and separate?
all this handwringing is a part of how Trump has gotten as far as he has. Enough!
The Secret Service has been in discussions with local authorities in New York on how to deal with jailing Von ShitzinPantz.
As the hope and prospect of TFG being sent to jail for violating bail terms or gag orders and eventually conviction, the “Secret Service” question usually comes up. I’d agree few if any would volunteer, except maybe some of the deeply devoted MAGA agents.
But the question should be are they needed at all? Former presidents get Secret Service protection for life, first spouse also gets at least one agent for life even after the death of the president, adult children only get one year of protection after the end of a presidential term. The presumption is the former president’s life is sacred and the president has knowledge of things best kept secret if he/she were to be abducted for ransom. Ditto for first spouse if abducted and used for leverage. Realistically, TFG is not going to be abducted away from a well guarded prison; although the possibility of an inside job with participating sympathetic prison guards could exist. I’d also probably wouldn’t be too far out on a limb to speculate a good chunk of Americans may not view his particular life as sacred.
If there’s a concern, put TFG in solidarity confinement with several adjacent cells empty. Maybe reopen an old wing just for him, similar to England holding Rudolf Hess during WW2 and then in Spandau Prison, Berlin afterwards as the only prisoner. Maybe a cell behind a sound and bulletproof glass wall where he can enjoy fava beans and a nice Chianti. This could be special preferential treatment I could actually get behind, unlike the kid gloves stuff he’s getting now from courts, politicians, and the lame stream media.
My preference would be to send Von ShitzinPantz to Guantanamo Bay. Secure, isolated, very difficult to visit and impossible to protest in front of the gates.
Exactly. Keeping Trump safe while in jail is NOT a problem.
Absolutely!!
🎯👏👏👏
To be fair, I don't think there'll be a riot re: Trump getting incarcerated. Just a whole lot of Jesus and Pilate references...
Agree with all your comment -- nothing more to add !
Tom, I have thought about this as well. Right now, I am thinking that his cult followers may try to free him or begin violent protest but I feel President Biden will stop that in its tracks. After the J6 attack, his followers don't seem all fired up to start violence again. If Netanyahu ignores President Biden, he MUST follow through and not deliver another weapon to Israel. Actually, I wish he wouldn't send them any more weapons either way!!
Support your analysis, in my opinion the judge has the backbone to do it and ought to do it sooner rather than later.
As for Biden hi definitely has not got the backbone to do it,as a catholic and a Christian how can he support the slaughter of innocent women/children and also men.Just because you are a man in Palestine doesn’t make you a HAMAS terrorist!
https://www.axios.com/2024/05/05/israel-us-ammunition-shipment-hold
Well said Professor. Both Trump and Netanyahu are slow-marching to jail for criminality. Biden has a more difficult choice: Does he bow to AIPAC and keep murdering Palestinians or appease the massive voting power of millennial and Gen-Z voters as November approaches.